Navy to Commission New Guided Missile Destroyer
The Navy will commission the newest Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer, James E. Williams, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004, during a ceremony at the Naval Weapons Station, Charleston, S.C. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina will deliver the principal address. Elaine Weaver Williams, widow of the ship’s namesake, is the ship’s sponsor. In the time-honored Navy tradition of commissioning U.S. naval ships, Mrs. The ship is named to honor Petty Officer 1st Class James Elliott Williams (1930-1999) of Darlington, S.C., one of the most highly decorated enlisted sailors in the history of the U.S. Navy. On Oct. 31, 1966, Williams was boat captain of river patrol boat (PBR) 105 when his boat and another PBR…
USS James E. Williams Crew Prepares For Maiden Voyage
The guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) will deploy May 2 on its maiden voyage as part of the Global War on Terrorism Surface Strike Group (GWOT SSG) 06-2. This deployment has come sooner than expected for the ship’s crew and is part of a surge deployment under the Navy's Fleet Response Plan. “When I first heard of the surge deployment, I was a little surprised, as was the rest of the crew,” said Interior Communications Electrician 1st Class (SW) Adam Tabbert. This “surge” deployment of James E. Williams is designed to be flexible and will provide presence and strike power to support joint and allied forces afloat and ashore. Under the Fleet Response Plan, a simple realignment of schedules makes this deployment possible. James E.
Destroyer Christened at Northrop Grumman
The Aegis guided missile destroyer DDG 95 was officially christened James E. Williams here June 28 when more than 1,000 guests attended ceremonies at Northrop Grumman Corporation's Ship Systems sector. The ship honors Boatswain's Mate First Class James Elliott Williams (1930-1999), often referred to as the most decorated enlisted man in U.S. naval history. The late Williams' widow, Mrs. Elaine Weaver Williams of Darlington, S.C., is the ship's sponsor. Two of the Williams' daughters, Debbie Williams Clark of Palm Coast, Fla., and Gail Williams Patterson of Florence, S.C., were on hand as Matrons of Honor for the event. The keynote speaker at the ceremony was Acting Secretary of the Navy, Hansford T. Johnson. Sec. Johnson is a retired four-star U.S.
