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| Robert A. Williams
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| NO. 17795 • 20 Jul 1926 - 1 Oct 1952 |
| Killed in Air Accident in South Korea - Remains not recovered
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The small village of Celina, TX, located north of
Dallas, had a population increase of one as Mr. and Mrs. Joe Lee Williams welcomed
their second child, Robert Allen Williams, into their household. At an early
age, Bob was entertained by riding in the family buggy, delivering food and
cool drinks to the workers in the field. At the age of five, he learned to
drive the buggy and then learned to ride the horse. He dreamed of becoming a
cowboy when he grew up.
And grow up
Bob did. His family moved to Malvern, AR, where his father operated a hardware
store. Bob displayed his independence when he ran away from home to a nearby
farm that had horses in pursuit of his desire to be a cowboy. He was returned
to his family but his independent spirit remained with him throughout his life.
Bob attended Malvern High School, where he
was active in student government and athletics, earning letters in track and gymnastics. While in high school, he developed
an interest in attending West Point and with sought an opportunity to do
so by attending Marion Institute. He eventually earned an appointment to the Academy in
July 1945. After successfully completing "Beast Barracks," Bob was ready for the academic challenge and
despite his best effort, was un-able to master the
rules of analytic geometry and was and "turned back."
His indomitable spirit led
him to try one more time for re-admission to the Academy by attending
Sullivan’s Preparatory School in Washington, DC, for further academic tutoring.
While there, he befriended two "ex"
plebes, William G. Fuller and Gene A. Dennis, who experienced the same setback,
and coincidently became his roommates during all four years at the Academy.
Their friendship lasted throughout their careers.
As a cadet, Bob compiled an envious record. He
achieved the rank of cadet lieutenant, became intercollegiate gymnastic
champion in the "flying rings," and earned fourth place in that event
in the National Gymnastic Championship, for which he was awarded his Major
"A."
The future
held much promise for Bob when he entered Basic Flight Training at Randolph
AFB, TX. At the outset, flying seemed natural to him, almost like riding a
horse. He was one of a few to solo early, a happy event. That accomplishment
was overshadowed by another event, however, when he was introduced to Miss
Peggy Jackson by Bill Fuller's fiance, Miss Lee Grebe. A wonderful courtship
began, followed by marriage to Peggy. When assigned to advanced jet fighter
training at Williams AFB, Bob joined both his roommates, who were taking the
same training. His world now was perfect - Bob was with those he loved,
embarking on a career he loved. He was even happier after experiencing the
thrill of his first jet flight in the T-33 jet trainer. He knew he had
made the correct career and life choices.
Bob soon learned that the
T-33 aircraft was a different machine from the T-6 basic trainer.
The transition proved to be a challenge, as he had difficulty staying abreast
with the others in meeting the standards. Consequently, he was moved back to
another group for additional training. Bob finally graduated from the advanced
flight training and Peggy pinned the wings of an Air Force pilot on to his
uniform.
After graduation, the
Williams family traveled to Luke AFB, AZ, where Bob entered the F-84
Combat Crew Training Course and joined his two roommates who were nearing
completion of their training. That reunion ended when they departed for their
assignments to Johnson AFB in Japan. The additional flying time and experience
Bob acquired at Williams AFB proved beneficial as he became the top student
pilot in aerial gunnery. From there, he followed his roommates to Johnson AFB,
arriving in time to bid them farewell as they departed to join F-84 units
in Korea.
After completing
indoctrination training at Johnson, Bob was assigned to the 474th Fighter
Bomber Group, an F-84 unit in Korea, where he was reunited with Gene A.
Dennis. His first few weeks in Korea were spent undergoing theatre
indoctrination learning the rules of engagement, the procedure involved
understanding the tactical air control system, plus training flights to the
tactical gunnery range. All were necessary steps before flying combat
missions. Bob was cleared to fly combat and scheduled to fly a combat
familiarization flight in the number four aircraft in a flight of four
aircraft.
Shortly after takeoff and
during the climb to altitude, the flight experienced weather conditions. When
the flight broke into the clear, Bob's aircraft was not sighted nor did he
check in by radio. The other flight members never sighted his aircraft during
the flight through weather or join up. Subsequent search flights over the area
were unable to locate the downed aircraft or pilot.
It was assumed Bob
experienced vertigo during the climb through the weather and was unable to stay
with the flight during instrument conditions, lost control, and crashed. He
was declared killed in air accident 1 Oct 1952. His widow, Peggy, survives
Bob.
His will be done. "Be thou at peace."
- Classmate and wingman Bill Curry
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USMA 1950