H*5309 Concurrent Resolution, By Lourie, Allen, Altman, Anthony, Bailey, Bales, 
Barfield, Battle, Bingham, Bowers, Branham, Breeland, G. Brown, J. Brown, 
R. Brown, Cato, Ceips, Chellis, Clark, Clemmons, Clyburn, Coates, Cobb-Hunter, 
Coleman, Cooper, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Emory, 
Freeman, Frye, Gilham, Gourdine, Govan, Hagood, Hamilton, Harrell, Harrison, 
Harvin, Haskins, Hayes, Herbkersman, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Hosey, Howard, 
Huggins, Jennings, Keegan, Kennedy, Kirsh, Koon, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, 
Littlejohn, Lloyd, Loftis, Lucas, Mack, Mahaffey, Martin, McCraw, McGee, McLeod, 
Merrill, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, J.H. Neal, J.M. Neal, Neilson, Ott, Owens, 
Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinson, E.H. Pitts, M.A. Pitts, Quinn, Rhoad, Rice, 
Richardson, Rivers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scarborough, Scott, Simrill, Sinclair, 
Skelton, D.C. Smith, F.N. Smith, G.M. Smith, G.R. Smith, J.E. Smith, J.R. Smith, 
W.D. Smith, Snow, Stewart, Stille, Talley, Taylor, Thompson, Toole, Townsend, 
Tripp, Trotter, Umphlett, Vaughn, Viers, Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, 
Whitmire, Wilkins, Witherspoon and Young
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND THE EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM OF CHARLES Q.
 WILLIAMS OF CHARLESTON WHO WAS AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOR FOR HIS VALOR IN
 COMBAT, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARD THAT CAN BE BESTOWED UPON A MEMBER OF THE
 ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES.

   05/19/04  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-29
   05/19/04  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-28

TO COMMEND THE EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM OF CHARLES Q. WILLIAMS OF CHARLESTON WHO WAS AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOR FOR HIS VALOR IN COMBAT, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARD THAT CAN BE BESTOWED UPON A MEMBER OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES.

Whereas, throughout our nation's history, men and women in all eras from Concord and Lexington to Falleujah have gone in harm's way to protect and secure our country's freedom and way of life; and

Whereas, to recognize extraordinary heroism the Congress of the United States established the Medal of Honor which represents the highest award for valor in combat that can be bestowed upon a member of the armed forces of the United States; and

Whereas, there have been more than three thousand four hundred recipients but fewer than one hundred forty remain with us today; and

Whereas, most recipients of the medal are ordinary Americans from ordinary backgrounds who, under extraordinary circumstances and at great risk to their own lives, performed an incredible act or a series of acts of conspicuous valor that clearly sets them apart from their comrades; and

Whereas, thirty-seven citizens with South Carolina roots have received the Medal of Honor since its inception; and

Whereas, Charles Q. Williams is one of these South Carolinians; and

Whereas, born in Charleston, South Carolina, on September 17, 1933, Mr. Williams entered the service at Fort Jackson achieving the rank of First Lieutenant (then 2d Lt.), United States Army, 5th Special Forces Group and served his country with honor and distinction in Dong Xoai, Republic of Vietnam; and

Whereas, he received the Medal of Honor for gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while defending the Special Forces Camp against a violent attack by hostile forces that lasted for fourteen hours; and

Whereas, 1st Lt. Williams was serving as executive officer of a Special Forces Detachment when a Vietcong regiment struck the camp and threatened to overrun it and the adjacent district headquarters. He awoke the personnel, organized them, determined the source of the insurgents' main effort, and led the troops to their defensive positions; and

Whereas, wounded four times during the battle and facing increasing Vietcong gunfire, he continued to direct the defense, traveling through darkness to reach the district headquarters to establish communications, rallying Vietnamese defenders who had begun to retreat back to their positions, and eventually ordering the consolidation of the American personnel from both compounds to strengthen the defense; and

Whereas, the courage of 1st Lt. Williams inspired his team to hold out against the insurgent force as he pulled another injured man to a covered position, and although seriously wounded and tired, he continued to direct air strikes closer to the defensive position. When informed that helicopters would attempt to land and the hostile gunfire had abated, he directed the rapid evacuation of all personnel; and

Whereas, Charles Q. Williams' extraordinary bravery and exemplary leadership skills in the face of grave risks inspired the efforts of his men to defeat the insurgents in keeping with the finest traditions of the United States Army; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, would like to publicly recognize and honor this brave and courageous son of South Carolina for his extraordinary heroism in the defense of our country and her ideals which epitomizes the very best of what America stands for. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly commend the extraordinary heroism of Charles Q. Williams who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor in combat, which is the highest award that can be bestowed upon a member of the armed forces of the United States.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mr. Charles Q. Williams.