Paul Melvin Williams was born Jul. 7, 1919, in Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas, and moved with his family to Washington, D.C. in 1924. Known most of his short life by his middle name, he was an Eagle Scout, a skilled saxophonist, a member of the first graduating class of Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, and attended the University of Maryland for two years. Melvin was killed on Iwo Jima March 9, 1945, while serving as a Second Lieutenant in the 3rd Marine Division. His remains were repatriated in 1948, and interred next to the graves of his parents at Fort Lincoln.
As his nearest surviving relative, his sister received a certificate from the Marine Corps ("NAVMC 106 – PD.") with the following information:
(obverse:)
Died in the service of his county March 9, 1945 at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands
Entered the Marine Corps Reserve September 1, 1942 at Washington, D.C,
(reverse:)
Born July 7, 1919 at Hutchinson, Kansas
Height 68 inches, Blue eyes, Light Brown hair, Fair complexion
Previous service: U.S. Naval Reserve from August 12, 1941 to May 6, 1942
Rank: Second Lieutenant – May 24, 1944
Service: Asiatic-Pacific Area from November 12, 1944 to March 9, 1945.
Battles, Engagements, ....: Participated in action against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from February 22 to March 9, 1945.
Awards: Purple Heart; Navy Unit Commendation with ribbon bar and one star; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and Victory Medal World War II.
Remarks: On active duty in the Naval Reserve from October 23, 1941 to April 18, 1942, as an enlisted man in the Marine Corps Reserve from July 1, 1943 to May 23, 1944, and as an officer from May 24, 1944 to March 9, 1945. Enlisted and officer file jacket number 459366 and 038536, respectively.
According to A Memorial to the Graduates and Former Students of The Woodrow Wilson High School Who Gave Their Lives in World War II 1941-1945, "Melvin was vice-president of [his senior class and] attended the University of Maryland for two years. Shortly before the outbreak of war, he entered the V-12 program of the Marine Corps. Commissioned a second lieutenant, he was assigned to the 3rd Division and ordered to the Pacific. He was instantly killed in action in the battle of Iwo Jima."
A letter from one of his comrades, 2LT Theo J. Toft, to his sister in Arlington, Virginia, was passed on to Melvin's father:
"April 9, 1945
"A very good friend of mine was killed on Iwo. In fact, many friends will never leave that hell hole. But this one's father lives in Arlington.
"I've been with this man for quite some time and saw him shortly before he was killed. I can truthfully say he was one of the finest boys I've ever known - brilliant, conscientious, and very considerate of his men, absolutely unafraid and very brave.
"What I want his father to know is that he did not suffer at all. In the first place, he was doing a very fine job. He couldn't have been doing any better. The Colonel said he was doing a splendid piece of work. He was on the front line, leading a platoon, observing and directing heavy weapon fire all at the same time. A sniper bullet hit him in the head and killed him instantly. A man beside him told me that he slumped down and didn't move a finger - instantaneous death! And, believe me, that was easy compared to some. That's exactly the way I'd want it if one nicked me.
"I would like to say that I didn't fight any harder or better than the rest of them, but was just a little more fortunate. Anyway, I'm not a hero. Paul Williams is a true hero. I feel his loss greatly."
As his nearest surviving relative, his sister received a certificate from the Marine Corps ("NAVMC 106 – PD.") with the following information:
(obverse:)
Died in the service of his county March 9, 1945 at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands
Entered the Marine Corps Reserve September 1, 1942 at Washington, D.C,
(reverse:)
Born July 7, 1919 at Hutchinson, Kansas
Height 68 inches, Blue eyes, Light Brown hair, Fair complexion
Previous service: U.S. Naval Reserve from August 12, 1941 to May 6, 1942
Rank: Second Lieutenant – May 24, 1944
Service: Asiatic-Pacific Area from November 12, 1944 to March 9, 1945.
Battles, Engagements, ....: Participated in action against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from February 22 to March 9, 1945.
Awards: Purple Heart; Navy Unit Commendation with ribbon bar and one star; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and Victory Medal World War II.
Remarks: On active duty in the Naval Reserve from October 23, 1941 to April 18, 1942, as an enlisted man in the Marine Corps Reserve from July 1, 1943 to May 23, 1944, and as an officer from May 24, 1944 to March 9, 1945. Enlisted and officer file jacket number 459366 and 038536, respectively.
According to A Memorial to the Graduates and Former Students of The Woodrow Wilson High School Who Gave Their Lives in World War II 1941-1945, "Melvin was vice-president of [his senior class and] attended the University of Maryland for two years. Shortly before the outbreak of war, he entered the V-12 program of the Marine Corps. Commissioned a second lieutenant, he was assigned to the 3rd Division and ordered to the Pacific. He was instantly killed in action in the battle of Iwo Jima."
A letter from one of his comrades, 2LT Theo J. Toft, to his sister in Arlington, Virginia, was passed on to Melvin's father:
"April 9, 1945
"A very good friend of mine was killed on Iwo. In fact, many friends will never leave that hell hole. But this one's father lives in Arlington.
"I've been with this man for quite some time and saw him shortly before he was killed. I can truthfully say he was one of the finest boys I've ever known - brilliant, conscientious, and very considerate of his men, absolutely unafraid and very brave.
"What I want his father to know is that he did not suffer at all. In the first place, he was doing a very fine job. He couldn't have been doing any better. The Colonel said he was doing a splendid piece of work. He was on the front line, leading a platoon, observing and directing heavy weapon fire all at the same time. A sniper bullet hit him in the head and killed him instantly. A man beside him told me that he slumped down and didn't move a finger - instantaneous death! And, believe me, that was easy compared to some. That's exactly the way I'd want it if one nicked me.
"I would like to say that I didn't fight any harder or better than the rest of them, but was just a little more fortunate. Anyway, I'm not a hero. Paul Williams is a true hero. I feel his loss greatly."
Paul Melvin Williams was born Jul. 7, 1919, in Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas, and moved with his family to Washington, D.C. in 1924. Known most of his short life by his middle name, he was an Eagle Scout, a skilled saxophonist, a member of the first graduating class of Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, and attended the University of Maryland for two years. Melvin was killed on Iwo Jima March 9, 1945, while serving as a Second Lieutenant in the 3rd Marine Division. His remains were repatriated in 1948, and interred next to the graves of his parents at Fort Lincoln.
As his nearest surviving relative, his sister received a certificate from the Marine Corps ("NAVMC 106 – PD.") with the following information:
(obverse:)
Died in the service of his county March 9, 1945 at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands
Entered the Marine Corps Reserve September 1, 1942 at Washington, D.C,
(reverse:)
Born July 7, 1919 at Hutchinson, Kansas
Height 68 inches, Blue eyes, Light Brown hair, Fair complexion
Previous service: U.S. Naval Reserve from August 12, 1941 to May 6, 1942
Rank: Second Lieutenant – May 24, 1944
Service: Asiatic-Pacific Area from November 12, 1944 to March 9, 1945.
Battles, Engagements, ....: Participated in action against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from February 22 to March 9, 1945.
Awards: Purple Heart; Navy Unit Commendation with ribbon bar and one star; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and Victory Medal World War II.
Remarks: On active duty in the Naval Reserve from October 23, 1941 to April 18, 1942, as an enlisted man in the Marine Corps Reserve from July 1, 1943 to May 23, 1944, and as an officer from May 24, 1944 to March 9, 1945. Enlisted and officer file jacket number 459366 and 038536, respectively.
According to A Memorial to the Graduates and Former Students of The Woodrow Wilson High School Who Gave Their Lives in World War II 1941-1945, "Melvin was vice-president of [his senior class and] attended the University of Maryland for two years. Shortly before the outbreak of war, he entered the V-12 program of the Marine Corps. Commissioned a second lieutenant, he was assigned to the 3rd Division and ordered to the Pacific. He was instantly killed in action in the battle of Iwo Jima."
A letter from one of his comrades, 2LT Theo J. Toft, to his sister in Arlington, Virginia, was passed on to Melvin's father:
"April 9, 1945
"A very good friend of mine was killed on Iwo. In fact, many friends will never leave that hell hole. But this one's father lives in Arlington.
"I've been with this man for quite some time and saw him shortly before he was killed. I can truthfully say he was one of the finest boys I've ever known - brilliant, conscientious, and very considerate of his men, absolutely unafraid and very brave.
"What I want his father to know is that he did not suffer at all. In the first place, he was doing a very fine job. He couldn't have been doing any better. The Colonel said he was doing a splendid piece of work. He was on the front line, leading a platoon, observing and directing heavy weapon fire all at the same time. A sniper bullet hit him in the head and killed him instantly. A man beside him told me that he slumped down and didn't move a finger - instantaneous death! And, believe me, that was easy compared to some. That's exactly the way I'd want it if one nicked me.
"I would like to say that I didn't fight any harder or better than the rest of them, but was just a little more fortunate. Anyway, I'm not a hero. Paul Williams is a true hero. I feel his loss greatly."
As his nearest surviving relative, his sister received a certificate from the Marine Corps ("NAVMC 106 – PD.") with the following information:
(obverse:)
Died in the service of his county March 9, 1945 at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands
Entered the Marine Corps Reserve September 1, 1942 at Washington, D.C,
(reverse:)
Born July 7, 1919 at Hutchinson, Kansas
Height 68 inches, Blue eyes, Light Brown hair, Fair complexion
Previous service: U.S. Naval Reserve from August 12, 1941 to May 6, 1942
Rank: Second Lieutenant – May 24, 1944
Service: Asiatic-Pacific Area from November 12, 1944 to March 9, 1945.
Battles, Engagements, ....: Participated in action against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from February 22 to March 9, 1945.
Awards: Purple Heart; Navy Unit Commendation with ribbon bar and one star; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and Victory Medal World War II.
Remarks: On active duty in the Naval Reserve from October 23, 1941 to April 18, 1942, as an enlisted man in the Marine Corps Reserve from July 1, 1943 to May 23, 1944, and as an officer from May 24, 1944 to March 9, 1945. Enlisted and officer file jacket number 459366 and 038536, respectively.
According to A Memorial to the Graduates and Former Students of The Woodrow Wilson High School Who Gave Their Lives in World War II 1941-1945, "Melvin was vice-president of [his senior class and] attended the University of Maryland for two years. Shortly before the outbreak of war, he entered the V-12 program of the Marine Corps. Commissioned a second lieutenant, he was assigned to the 3rd Division and ordered to the Pacific. He was instantly killed in action in the battle of Iwo Jima."
A letter from one of his comrades, 2LT Theo J. Toft, to his sister in Arlington, Virginia, was passed on to Melvin's father:
"April 9, 1945
"A very good friend of mine was killed on Iwo. In fact, many friends will never leave that hell hole. But this one's father lives in Arlington.
"I've been with this man for quite some time and saw him shortly before he was killed. I can truthfully say he was one of the finest boys I've ever known - brilliant, conscientious, and very considerate of his men, absolutely unafraid and very brave.
"What I want his father to know is that he did not suffer at all. In the first place, he was doing a very fine job. He couldn't have been doing any better. The Colonel said he was doing a splendid piece of work. He was on the front line, leading a platoon, observing and directing heavy weapon fire all at the same time. A sniper bullet hit him in the head and killed him instantly. A man beside him told me that he slumped down and didn't move a finger - instantaneous death! And, believe me, that was easy compared to some. That's exactly the way I'd want it if one nicked me.
"I would like to say that I didn't fight any harder or better than the rest of them, but was just a little more fortunate. Anyway, I'm not a hero. Paul Williams is a true hero. I feel his loss greatly."
