{{Short description|United States Air Force officer (1907–1949)}} {{Infobox military person | honorific_prefix = Colonel | name = Gerald Evan Williams | honorific_suffix = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | image = Col Gerald E Williams c 1943.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Col. Gerald E. Williams ''circa'' 1943 | birth_date = {{birth date|1907|12|17}} | death_date = {{Death date and age|1949|02|17|1907|12|17}} | birth_place = Bridgewater, Maine, U.S. | death_place = Argentina | burial_place = Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery | burial_label = | burial_coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} --> | nickname = | birth_name = | allegiance = United States | branch = Air Force | service_years = 1931–1949 | rank = Colonel | service_number = 018604 | unit = | commands = 99 Reconnaissance Squadron<ref name="AFHRA 99 Reconn">{{cite web|title=99 Reconnaissance Squadron (Acc)|url=http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10563|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|accessdate=23 Feb 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130301103720/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10563|archivedate=2013-03-01}}</ref> <br /> 9 Operations Group <br /> 391st Bombardment Group (M)<ref name="391st Web">{{cite web|title=Historical Data Pertaining To The 391st Bombardment Group|url=http://www.b26.com/page/391/bomb_group.htm|publisher=B26.COM|accessdate=24 Feb 2013}}</ref> 47 Operations Group<ref name="AFHRA 47 Bombardment">{{cite web|title=47 Operations Group(Acc)|url=http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9697|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|accessdate=23 Feb 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222112754/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9697|archivedate=2013-02-22}}</ref> | battles = | battles_label = | awards = Silver Star,<ref name="Silver Star 1945" /><ref name="Army Register 1946" /> <br /> Distinguished Flying Cross from the USAAF,<ref name="Army Register 1946">{{cite book|last=United States Adjutant General's Office|title=Official Army Register|year=1946|publisher=Government Printing Office|location=Washington, D.C.|url=https://archive.org/details/officialarmyregi1946unit}}</ref><br /> Distinguished Flying Cross from Royal Air Force,<ref name="47th Group 1946">{{cite news|title=47th Group Chief Is West Point Graduate|url=https://www.newspapers.com|accessdate=21 Feb 2013|newspaper=El Paso Herald|date=11 Oct 1946}}</ref> <br /> ''Croix de Guerre'' with palm<ref name="47th Group 1946" /> (France),<ref name="47th Group 1946" /><br /> Bronze Star Medal,<ref name="Army Register 1946" /> <br /> Air Medal with 12 oak leaf clusters<ref name="Army Register 1946" /><ref name="47th Group 1946" /> | spouse = Marjorie Parker Williams | relations = | other_work = Assistant Air Attaché to American Embassy in Buenos Aires | signature = | website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} --> }} '''Gerald Evan Williams''' (December 17, 1907 – February 17, 1949) was an American officer in the Ninth Air Force during World War II.
== Background and family == Gerald Evan Williams was born in Bridgewater, Maine to Myron Luther Williams and Lottie Belle "Belle" (Barrett) Williams.<ref name="birth record">{{cite web|title=Gerald Evans Williams, 1907|url=https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KC6Q-X2Z|work=Maine, Vital Records, 1670–1907|publisher=FamilySearch|accessdate=17 Feb 2013}}</ref> His father's family had lived in Bradford, Maine since before the Civil War,<ref name="1860 Census">{{cite web|title=1860 Census Bradford, Penobscot, Maine|url=http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?rank=1&new=1&MSAV=1&msT=1&gss=angs-g&gsfn=Luther+M&gsfn_x=XO&gsln=Williams&msbdy=1806&msbpn__ftp=Maine&cpxt=0&catBucket=rstp&uidh=e53&cp=12&pcat=ROOT_CATEGORY&h=44545810&db=1860usfedcenancestry&indiv=1|work=1860 United States Federal Census [database on-line]|publisher=Ancestry.com|accessdate=17 Feb 2013}}</ref> but in his teens Myron moved to the rural potato-growing area of Bridgewater, where he lived with his sister's family, before his marriage.<ref name="1900 Census">{{cite web|title=1900; Census Bridgewater, Aroostook, Maine|url=http://search.ancestry.com|work=1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line].|publisher=Ancestry.com|accessdate=17 Feb 2013}}</ref> Belle Williams was born in Bridgewater, the daughter of a Canadian-born farmer.<ref name="Maine Birth 1882">{{cite web|last=Maine State Archives|title=Record of a Live Birth|url=http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=MaineBirthRe&rank=1&new=1&MSAV=1&msT=1&gss=angs-d&gsfn=Lottie+Belle&gsfn_x=XO&gsln=Barrett&msbdy=1882&msypn__ftp=Bridgewater%2c+Aroostook%2c+Maine%2c+USA&msypn=3498&msypn_PInfo=8-%7C0%7c1652393%7c0%7c2%7c3242%7c22%7c0%7c187%7c3498%7c0%7c&msfng0=Edward&msfns0=Barrett&uidh=e53&msbdd=4&msbdm=4&pcat=34&fh=0&h=494113&recoff=5+6+7+38|work=Maine, Birth Records, 1621–1922 [database on-line].|publisher=Ancestry.com|accessdate=18 Feb 2013}}</ref> Myron Williams worked as a potato buyer.<ref name="1910 Census">{{cite web|title=1910; Census Bridgewater, Aroostook, Maine|url=http://search.ancestry.com|work=1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line].|publisher=Ancestry.com|accessdate=17 Feb 2013}}</ref> Myron and Belle moved their young family to Presque Isle in 1917, establishing a laundry business in an older section of town.<ref name="1920 Census">{{cite web|title=1920; Census Presque Isle, Aroostook, Maine|url=http://search.ancestry.com|work=1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line].|publisher=Ancestry.com|accessdate=17 Feb 2013}}</ref> Gerald Williams graduated from Presque Isle High School in 1925 and then studied for a year at Hebron Academy, where he helped the academy win the state championship in football.<ref name="Flying Service 1931">{{cite news|title=Been Assigned to Flying Service|newspaper=Presque Isle Star-Herald|date=27 Aug 1931}}</ref><ref name="Lt Williams 1938" /> Congressman Ira G. Hersey of Houlton nominated Williams for appointment to the United States Military Academy.<ref name="Lt Williams 1938" />
== West Point and Army Air Corps == Gerald Evan Williams entered U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1926 and graduated with a B.S. degree with the class of 1931.<ref name="Army Register 1946" /><ref name=USMA>{{cite book|last=United States Military Academy|title=Official Register of Officers and Cadets|year=1927|publisher=United States Military Academy Publishing Office|location=West Point, NY}}</ref><ref name="West Point eulogies">{{cite web|title=Gerald Evan Williams, USMA '31|url=http://defender.west-point.org/service/eulogies.mhtml?u=9298|work=Eulogies|publisher=West-Point.org|accessdate=16 Feb 2013}}</ref> He completed the academic work, while playing football four years, lacrosse two years, and wrestling two years.<ref name="Flying Service 1931" /><ref name="Howitzer 1931">{{cite book|title=The Howitzer, Annual of the Corps of Cadets|year=1931|publisher=US Military Academy|location=West Point, NY}}</ref> Shortly before graduation, he was described in the ''USMA Annual'' as "[a] cynic, [and] bon vivant, who would rather be wrong than gregarious, rather be right than acquiescent."<ref name="Howitzer 1931" />
== Military career ==
Following his graduation from West Point, Williams enlisted as a 2nd Lt., in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was assigned to the Flying Service at Randolph, San Antonio, Texas on September 11, 1931<ref name="Flying Service 1931" /> and trained in attack, bombardment, and pursuit groups.<ref name="Flying Service 1931" /> He completed Air Corps Primary Flying School, Air Corps Advanced Flying School, and Bombardment Course in 1932,<ref name="Army Register 1946" /> with his advanced flight trainings undertaken at Kelly Field.<ref name="Pilots 1932">{{cite news|title='Airplane Pilots' in the Regular Army|newspaper=Bangor Daily News|date=Oct 1932}}</ref> He would soon demonstrate his skill with multi-engined aircraft (i.e., medium and heavy bombers).
=== Service record === {| |- ! Service Group !! Location(s) !! Date |- | || Luke Field, Kaalawai, Hawaii, || bef. 1933<ref name="Local pilot 1949" /> |- | 20th Bombardment Squadron. || Langley Field, VA || bef. 1937<ref name="Lt Williams 1938" /> |- | 99 Reconnaissance Squadron (ACC) || Piarco Field, Trinidad || Oct 1941<ref name="AFHRA 99 Reconn" /> |- | 9 Operations Group || Waller Field, Trinidad<br /> Orlando AB, FL || 1942<ref name="AFHRA 9 Op Gr">{{cite web|title=9 Operations Group (ACC)|url=http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9643|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|accessdate=23 Feb 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222091109/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9643|archivedate=2013-02-22}}</ref> |- | 391st Bombardment Group || Matching, Essex England || 26 Jan 1944{{snd}}1 Oct 1944<ref name="391st Web" /> |- | 391st Bombardment Group || Royal Army Airfield, France || 19 Sep 1944{{snd}}22 Apr 1945<ref name="391st Web" /> |- | 47 Operations Group || Biggs Field, TX || Aug 1946<ref name="AFHRA 47 Bombardment" /> |}
Williams was stationed at Luke Field, Kaalawai, Hawaii, where he married Marjorie Parker in April 1933.<ref name="Local pilot 1949">{{cite news|title=Local Pilot and Wife Killed in Transport Crash|newspaper=Presque Isle Star-Herald|date=24 Feb 1949}}</ref> Williams was rated command pilot, combat observer, navigator (celestial and dead reckoning), bombardier and unlimited pilot.<ref name="Press Release 1945">{{cite news|last=Headquarters Ninth Air Force|title=Press Release|newspaper=European Theatre of Operations|date=6 Apr 1945}}</ref>
Williams was next assigned to Langley Field, VA with the 20th Bombardment Squadron. In February 1937 he served as navigator for a flight from Langley Field to Panama, participating in the then-longest non-stop army flight.<ref name="Lt Williams 1938" /> He experimented and he learned. On a flight in the North American BT-9B from Virginia to San Antonio, Texas, it was reported in the ''Air Corps News Letter'', <blockquote>"On two legs of the flight he encountered icing conditions, and while the plane picked up considerable ice the flying characteristics did not appear to be affected. The carburetor heat control, however, was entirely inadequate, and time and again with the carburetor heat full on, the carburetor iced up sufficiently to lose flying power. The opening of the mixture control, however, caused the engine to backfire, clearing the ice out of the carburetor."<ref name="Bad Weather 1938">{{cite journal|title=Experiences in Bad Weather Flying|journal=Air Corps News Letter|date=1 Jan 1938|pages=7}}</ref></blockquote>
=== Military ranks and dates === {| class="wikitable" |- ! Rank<ref name="Army Register 1946" /> !! Unit !! Date |- | Col. || Army || Aug. 1944 |- | Lieut. Col. || Army || 1 May 1944 |- | Major || Army || 18 Mar. 1943 |- | Col. || Army || 4 Jan. 1943 |- | Lieut. Col. || Army || 23 Jan. 1942 |- | Major (temp.) || Army || 15 Jul. 1941 |- | Capt. || Army. || 11 Jun. 1941 |- | Capt. || Army || 9 Sept. 1940 |- | 1 Lieut. || Army || 1 Aug. 1935 |- | 1 Lieut.(temp) || Army || 18 May 1935{{snd}}31 Jul 1935 |- | 2 Lieut.|| Air Corps || 25 Jan. 1933 |- | | 2 Lieut. || Infantry || 11 Jun 1931 |}
=== 1938 Goodwill flight to Argentina === right|thumb|280 px |Boeing YB-17 of 2nd BG, 1937 In 1938 Williams was honored as a 1st Lieutenant, to be chosen one of the pilots of a pioneering flight of six early YB-17A "Flying Fortress" four-engined heavy bombers.<ref name="Lt Williams 1938">{{cite news|title=Lieut. Williams, Presque Isle, Is Pilot on Good Will Flight|newspaper=Bangor Daily News|date=23 Feb 1938}}</ref><ref name="Maine Pilot 1938">{{cite news|title=Flying Fortress, Commander and Maine Pilot|newspaper=Portland Press Herald|date=17 Feb 1938}}</ref> Part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's prescient ''Hemispheric Defense Initiative'', the history-making flight commanded by Col. Robert Olds traveled 6,000 miles from Langley Field, Virginia, to Lima, Peru and Buenos Aires, Argentina, where Roberto M. Ortiz was being inaugurated as president.<ref name="Lt Williams 1938" /><ref name="Good Will Flight 1938">{{cite journal|title=The Argentine Flight|journal=Air Corps News Letter|date=1 Mar 1938|volume=21|issue=5|pages=1–2, 18–19}}</ref> The feat was widely publicized,<ref name="Goodwill 1938a">{{cite news|title=Goodwill Flight Planned By Army Planes To Argentina|url=http://fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html|accessdate=21 Feb 2013|newspaper=Evening Leader [Corning, NY]|date=11 Feb 1938}}</ref><ref name="Army Bombers 1938a">{{cite news|title=Army Bombers in Non-Stop Hop Near Peru Goal|url=http://fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html|accessdate=21 Feb 2013|newspaper=Citizen-Advertizer [Auburn, NY]|date=17 Feb 1938}}</ref><ref name="6 Bombers 1938">{{cite news|title=6 Bombers Land in Buenos Aires|url=http://fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html|accessdate=21 Feb 2013|newspaper=New York Evening Post|date=18 Feb 2013}}</ref><ref name="Visas 1938">{{cite news|title=Your Visas Gentlemen! Bombers off for Buenos Aires|url=http://fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html|accessdate=21 Feb 2013|newspaper=Democrat and Chronicle [Rochester, NY]|date=17 Feb 1938}}</ref> and an Air Corps newsletter provided lengthy descriptions. <blockquote>"On a bitingly cold Tuesday morning, at 9 o'clock, February 15, to be exact, the last of the six Boeings lifted gracefully into the air headed south for Miami. This departure was an example of all of the other take-offs of the flight. They were two minutes apart, the flight commander being the first to push the nose of his flying fortress into the cold ozone. With him he carried the greetings of Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt to the President-elect of the Argentine, Roberto Ortiz." <br />
"As the planes flew toward the appointed rendezvous at Point Salinas, just north of Lima, thousands of Peruvian officials and aviation fans at the Loma Tambo airport were eagerly awaiting the visitors from the Big neighbor of the North. Where frightened civilians in other countries during the past quarter century scanned the skies with dread, these friendly people were eagerly awaiting these Ambassadors of Good Will, who were bringing not bombs but messages of Friendship. Landing at 4:25 PM, the six planes made the record non-stop flight of 2695 miles in 15 hours and 32 minutes."<ref name="Good Will Flight 1938" /></blockquote>
Williams' accomplishments and skill were becoming legendary. Two years later in a landing at Presque Isle, Maine by Lieut. Williams and Capt. Neil B. Harding,<ref name="Presque Isle field 1940">{{cite news|title=Army Bomber at Presque Isle Field|newspaper=Bangor daily news|date=19 October 1940}}</ref> a newspaper article proclaimed, "Famed Aviator Visits His Home Town."<ref name="Famed Aviator 1940">{{cite news|title=Famed Aviator Visits in His Home Town|newspaper=Presque Isle Star-Herald|date=Oct 1940}}</ref> <blockquote> "The purpose of the extended navigation trip is to determine the suitability of the new type drift meter and periodic compass. the trip up was by day to try it out for daytime use."<ref name="Presque Isle field 1940" /></blockquote>
=== Ninth Bomb Group === By 1940, Williams was a captain and served with the Ninth Bomb Group in 1940–1941 in Panama and the Caribbean.<ref name="47th Group 1946" /> In 1941, the United States Army Signal Corps released a photograph of Army planes arriving at Paramaribo, Dutch Guiana. Williams, by then a major, was shown on guard duty with the plane.<ref name="Paramaribo 1941">{{cite news|title=United States Army Lands in Giana by Sea and Air|url=http://www.Genealogybank.com|accessdate=17 Feb 2013|newspaper=Dallas Morning News|date=5 Dec 1941}}</ref>
== World War II == thumb|280 px| The ''Lady Belle'', B-26 flown by Col. Williams thumb|280 px|Col. Gerald E. Williams with members of crew, 391st B-26 Marauder group, France, 1944. thumb|280 px|Col. Gerald E. Williams, awarded Silver Star medal and second Oak Leaf Cluster to his Distinguished Flying Cross. France, May 1945. During the Second World War, Williams became a renowned officer in the U.S. Army Air Forces' Ninth Air Force as commander of the B-26 'Marauder' twin engined medium bombers of the 391st Bombardment Group of the Ninth Bomb Group.<ref name="Tacoman 1949">{{cite news|title=Tacoman Killed|url=http://www.genealogybank.com|accessdate=17 Feb 2013|newspaper=Seattle Daily Times|date=19 Feb 1949}}</ref> from 1943 to 1945. He personally led more than 75 missions, often placing himself as lead pilot in his B-26 ''Lady Belle'' on low-level bombing runs against heavily defended Axis targets in Occupied France. The ''Lady Belle,'' was named after his mother, Belle Williams.<ref name="Action over France in 1944" />
Williams' Marauders were known as the "Black Death" group.<ref name="Black Death 1944">{{cite news|title=Officer from Knights Ferry is Promoted to First Lieutenant|url=https://www.newspapers.com|accessdate=21 Feb 2013|newspaper=Modesto Bee and News-Herald|date=10 Oct 1944}}</ref> As a California newspaper reported, "In less than eight months of operation the Black Death's Marauders carried destruction to 167 German targets."<ref name="Black Death 1944" /> Williams was awarded a Bronze Star medal "for meritorious achievement in direct support of combat operations against the enemy from December 23 to December 26, 1944."<ref name="Bronze Star 1945">{{cite news|title=Presque Isle Officer Awarded Bronze Star|newspaper=News Clipping|date=8 Feb 1945}}</ref> Citing over 200 missions by Williams' B-26 Marauder group, the late December attack at Ahrweiler, Germany was notable. <blockquote> "The viaduct was wiped out, but the Marauders were jumped by 50 to 100 Luftwaffe fighters in the 'Black Death' group for the bitterest battle of its combat history. Their guns accounted for at least 11 German fighters and four probables. The group, however suffered its heaviest losses since being in operation. Under Col. Williams 'superior leadership and his superb power of organization' the group went back the same day to Germany for a second mission to successfully blast a heavily defended town. Then for three succeeding days Williams' Marauders dealt four smashing blows at German targets without losses."<ref name="Bronze Star 1945" /> </blockquote>
Williams won Distinguished Flying Crosses from both the USAAF (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), as well as from the Royal Air Force, and the ''Croix de Guerre'' from liberated France.<ref name="47th Group 1946" /> Thus three nations paid tribute to his valor and leadership.
<blockquote> Col. Williams has received the Distinguished Flying Cross for a mission May 9, when, according to the citation, he 'led a group against heavily defended enemy installations in occupied France. During the attack his aircraft was severely damaged by flak, his navigator wounded. Disregarding his own personal safety, determined only to lead his group successfully against the enemy target, he continued the bomb run and found the target with devastating effect.'"<ref name="Action over France in 1944">{{cite news|last=Craig|first=Elizabeth May|title=Col. Gerald Williams Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross for Action Over France|newspaper=Presque Isle Star- Herald|date=10 August 1944}}</ref></blockquote>
The raid on the bridge at Nantes, France, on July 31, 1944 resulted in the second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster added to his Distinguished Flying Cross.<ref name="Press Release 1945" /> Williams believed that the success of the attack would be jeopardized if he relinquished his lead position. He thus "retained control of his battered bomber and led his formation over the bridge, blasting it out of the water."<ref name="Press Release 1945" />
In 1945 Gerald E. Williams was awarded a Silver Star Citation for conspicuous gallantry in action, while serving with the Ninth Air Force.<ref name="Silver Star 1945">{{cite web|title=Silver Star Citation for Gerald E. Williams|url=http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=50550|work=Military Times Hall of Valour|publisher=Military Times Network|accessdate=18 Feb 2013}}</ref> <blockquote>"The inexorable determination, outstanding skill and unhesitating courage of the officers and men of the group in so brilliantly carrying the attack to the enemy is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army Air Forces."<ref name="Citation 1945">{{cite news|title=Aircraft Armorer|url=http://fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html|accessdate=18 Feb 2013|newspaper=Evening Recorder|date=24 Feb 1945}}</ref></blockquote>
The citation continued:
<blockquote> "[A]lthough his formation was subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire, Colonel Williams gallantly led his formation to attack the assigned target with superior bombing results. The bombs were released on three road intersections and twenty-seven large buildings were left blazing after the devastating attack. Colonel Williams' fortitude and extreme determination in the face of overwhelming odds contributed materially to the success of joint air-ground operations in the Ardennes Salient and his courageous leadership and coolness under fire reflect high credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces."<ref name="Press Release 1945" /> </blockquote>
== After the war == In 1945 Williams was appointed commander of the Rapid City Army Air Base.<ref name="47th Group 1946" /> On August 30, 1946 he became commander of the 47th Light Bombardment Group, composed of the 84th, 85th, and 86th Bomb Squadrons.<ref name="47th Group 1946" /><ref name="Combat Units 1961">{{cite book|editor-last=Maurer|editor-first=Maurer |title=Air Force Combat Units of World War II|year=1961|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|location=Washington, DC|page=106}}</ref>
== Buenos Aires == On April 21, 1948 Williams was appointed Assistant Air Attaché to the American Embassy in Buenos Aires.<ref name=Grodecki>{{cite book|last=Grodecki|first=Maj. Thomas S.|title=Military Observers 1815–1975|year=1988|publisher=Center of Military History|location=Washington, D.C.|url=http://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a194175.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714150416/http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a194175.pdf|url-status=live|archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> He worked under Brigadier General B. H. Hovey, the U.S. air attaché.<ref name="Lubbock 1949">{{cite news|last=Wilson|first=David|title=Eight Feared Crash Victims|url=https://www.newspapers.com|accessdate=21 Feb 2013|newspaper=Lubbock Morning Avalanche|date=19 Feb 1949}}</ref> On February 17, 1949, Williams, his wife and six other Air Force officers and enlisted men, were killed when the Air Force C-47 transport piloted by Williams crashed on an Andean mountain in northwestern Argentina, on a flight from Panama ''en route'' to Buenos Aires.<ref name="San Diego 1949">{{cite news|title=Air Attache Killed With Wife in Crash|url=http://www.genealogybank.com|accessdate=17 Feb 2013|newspaper=San Diego Union|date=19 Feb 1949}}</ref> Williams and his wife were buried at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. The Congregational Church in Presque Isle, Maine held a memorial service at 11:00 on a Wednesday morning—the very same time as the funeral services in San Antonio.<ref name="Memorial 1949">{{cite news|title=Hold Memorials Here for Plane Crash Victims.|newspaper=Presque Isle Star-Herald|date=February 1949}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
==External links==
{{commons category}} * {{Find a Grave|78710432}} * [http://www.b26.com/page/391st_bomb_group.htm History of the 391st Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Gerald Evan}} Category:1907 births Category:1949 deaths Category:People from Aroostook County, Maine Category:Military personnel from Maine Category:United States Military Academy alumni Category:United States Army personnel of World War II Category:United States Air Force colonels Category:United States air attachés Category:Burials at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery