Joseph M. Williams Sr.

Joseph M. Williams Sr. served in the US Army from 1966 to 1968. After being drafted, he served a year-long deployment in Vietnam as part of the 25th Infantry Division and the 4th Infantry Division.

Williams attended Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Dix in New Jersey, becoming a Light Vehicle Driver. Upon landing in Saigon, Vietnam for the start of his deployment, he recalled saying to himself, “How did I get here? What am I doing here? I don’t belong here.” After staying briefly in Saigon, Williams was sent to Cu Chi for processing, then he went to Pleiku to join a supply and transportation unit as part of the 25th Infantry Division (ID).

Williams shared many stories about his time in Vietnam. He recalled that his M16 rifle became his “best friend,” and he often slept with his boots on so he could run to a bunker in the event of a mortar attack. Williams also developed jungle rot due to excessive sweating in the hot climate and not being able to shower.

After a few months in the Central Highlands with the 25th ID, Williams’ unit was ordered to drive to Qui Nhon, a coastal town in the lowlands of Vietnam. In order to get there, he had to drive his vehicle through the winding roads of the Mang Yang Pass. Williams described that the roads became dangerously muddy during the rainy season in Vietnam, causing the vehicles to slide down the Pass, rather than drive through them. He recalled that, as a result, there were vehicles that slid off the cliffs of the Pass. Williams commented, “They got their money’s worth out of me that day.”

Upon arrival in Qui Nhon, Williams and his unit were put on ships and brought to Duc Pho, where he finished out the remainder of his tour. He recalled a story about how there were loud explosions within the base camp one day. While rushing back to his quarters to get his weapon, Williams watched a jeep speed by him but couldn’t make out who was driving. Later, he learned it was two Vietcong soldiers who had snuck into the camp and blown-up American ammunition.

Prior to his deployment, Williams explained that golf was an important part of his life. Thus, while he was in Vietnam, he sought to practice it as a form of recreation. Williams decided to write a letter to renowned golfer, Arnold Palmer, asking for golf equipment. A few weeks later, Williams received a package with three five iron clubs and golf balls, sent by Palmer himself. He described that being able to hit balls while in Vietnam was “therapeutic.” When Williams returned to the States in 1967, he brought one of the clubs home with him and left the other two for soldiers who came after him to enjoy.

While reflecting on his time in Vietnam, Williams stated, “As much as I didn’t want it and hated it, I look back now and think that it was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had in my life. I survived it…I felt it. I lived it. And I wish other people could have that experience as well. They might appreciate what a great country we actually live in.”

Joseph Williams is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Catholic War Veterans organization.

Additional Resource:

• VFW Building Scheduled for Sale in Early 2017