On October 31, 1966, Boatswain's Mate First Class James E. Williams was commanding PBR 105 alongside another PBR searching for Viet Cong guerrillas operating in an isolated area of the Mekong Delta.
Suddenly, Viet Cong manning two sampans opened fire on the Americans. While Williams and his men neutralized one sampan, the other one escaped into a nearby canal. The PBRs gave chase and soon found themselves in a beehive of enemy activity as the VC opened fire on them with rocket propelled grenades and small arms from fortified river bank positions.
Under heavy fire and completely outnumbered, Williams repeatedly led the PBRs against concentrations of enemy junks and sampans. He also called for support from the heavily armed UH-1B Huey helicopters. When that help arrived, he kicked off another attack deep into the delta, going up against even more enemy boats.
As a result of the 3-hour battle, his courage and leadership were responsible for over 1,200 enemy kills and the destruction of 65 vessels.
For his actions on that date he was awarded the Medal of Honor, one of 32 Native Americans to receive it and etching his name as one of the most decorated enlisted man in the history of the US Navy. #zerofoxtrot #stayzero #usnavy #hardfuck