Williams.

This is coolbert:

Thanks to the tip from Jan, generating the idea for this blog entry.

Here is the naval non-commissioned officer [NCO] who was [still is??] the most highly decorated enlisted man in the history of the U.S. Navy.

James E. Williams.

"James Elliott Williams . . . He was the most highly decorated enlisted man in the history of the United States Navy."

Williams the winner of the Medal of Honor [MoH] in Vietnam, a man who stood very tall in two wars.

While at the helm of a putt-putt PBR patrol craft [patrol boat rigid or is it patrol boat river?] engaged successfully a much larger enemy force in Vietnam.

These PBR actually carried some pretty significant fire-power for such a small boat!

A sailor in the riverine task force U.S. "brown water" navy, seeing action at the lowest level of command, and distinguishing himself in a manner few naval enlisted personnel ever find possible.

This particular photo gives you a sense of scale, the small size of the PBR being more apparent!

Consider the number of decorations as awarded to Williams for courage on the "battlefield"! Evidently NOT merely confined to a single combat action for which the man won the MoH! Williams displayed outstanding courage on a number of occasions!

* Medal of Honor.
* Navy Cross.
* Silver Star. (2)
* Bronze Star. (3)
* Purple Heart. (3)

Normally it is not possible for a navy enlisted man [or an airman for that matter] to stand out in such a remarkable manner. The very nature of a warship usually means that the low-ranking men are part of a whole and do not find themselves in situations that allow for individual heroism.

NOT so with James E. Williams.

coolbert.