Harvey D. Williams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harvey D. Williams
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| Birth name | Harvey Dean Williams |
| Born | July 30, 1930 Whiteville, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | August 7, 2020 (aged 90) Germantown, Maryland, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1951–1982 |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Battles/wars | Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards |  Legion of Merit Bronze Star (2) Meritorious Service Medal (2) Air Medal (5) Army Commendation Medal (5) |
| Alma mater | West Virginia State College (BA) George Washington University (MS) |
Harvey Dean Williams Sr. (July 30, 1930 – August 7, 2020) was a highly respected U.S. Army officer. He rose to the rank of major general. He made history as the first African-American commander of Fort Myer. In 1980, he became the Deputy Inspector General of the U.S. Army. General Williams led artillery units during the Korean War and Vietnam War. He also gained international attention in 1978 for speaking out against discrimination he and other African-American soldiers faced in Augsburg, West Germany.
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Early Life and Education
Harvey Dean Williams was born on July 30, 1930. His hometown was Whiteville, North Carolina. His parents were Matthew Dean Williams and Addie Haynes Williams. He grew up in Durham, North Carolina. He attended Hillside High School and graduated in 1946.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. This was from West Virginia State College. Later, he received a Master of Science degree in International Relations. He earned this from George Washington University.
Military Career Highlights
Starting His Army Journey (1951–1977)
Williams joined the Army through the ROTC program. He graduated from West Virginia State College in 1950. He was one of the first general officers to come from that university. He began his active duty in 1951 as a second lieutenant.
He commanded an artillery unit during the Korean War. He served two tours in Korea, starting in 1953. From 1957 to 1959, he taught at Cornell University. This was unusual for a black Army officer at an Ivy League school then. By 1965, he had become a major.
In August 1969, Williams went to Vietnam. He served during the Vietnam War. He commanded the 1st Battalion, 92nd Artillery, from January to June 1970. He was promoted to colonel in October 1971.
Williams was the first black Army officer chosen to attend the Naval War College. In June 1973, he became the commander of the 75th Field Artillery Group at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
Breaking Barriers at Fort Myer
On June 16, 1975, Colonel Williams made history. He became the first African-American commander of Fort Myer. This important U.S. Army base is next to Arlington National Cemetery. He led Fort Myer from 1975 to 1977.
Williams was promoted to brigadier general in September 1977. At that time, he was one of only 14 black Army generals serving.
Standing Up Against Discrimination (1978)
In the late 1970s, General Williams was stationed in Augsburg, West Germany. He commanded 15,000 American soldiers there. In 1978, he and other American soldiers, especially African-Americans, faced unfair treatment.
One time, Williams was stopped from entering a German club. Even though he met the dress code, he was only allowed in after his rank was mentioned. Williams spoke out about this incident. He gave interviews, including one to the Associated Press. He urged German businesses to stop discriminating against American soldiers.
This event and Williams' actions made international news. Magazines like Jet reported on it. The mayor of Augsburg, Hans Breuer, changed policies. This helped end discrimination against American soldiers.
Later Leadership Roles and Retirement
In 1978, Williams became the Deputy Commanding General. He also served as Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army Military District of Washington. In 1980, he was named the Deputy Inspector General of the United States Army. He also worked as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence.
Williams retired from the military in 1982. He retired as a major general. After his military career, he worked for technology companies. He also helped a non-profit organization bring technology to different communities.
Awards and Honors
General Williams received many awards for his service. He was given the Legion of Merit. He also earned the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. Other awards included the Air Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.
The government of South Vietnam awarded him the Gallantry Cross with a silver star. In 1980, he was inducted into the West Virginia State College ROTC Hall of Fame. In 1996, he received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. This is a special honor from the state of North Carolina.
Personal Life
Harvey Williams was married to his wife, Mary, for 64 years. They were married from 1956 until his death in 2020. They lived in Germantown, Maryland. They had five children and two grandchildren. General Williams passed away at home on August 7, 2020, at age 90. He died due to Parkinson's disease.
