<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
</head>
<body>
<p> </p>
<p>JOHN “JACK” WILLIAMSON, born in Brooklyn, New York on 4 July 1909, is survived by his wife, Alice; and four children: John, Peter, Kathleen and Michael.</p>
<p>Jack longed to go to West Point since the age of 10, inspired by a book about cadets. Determined to pursue his ambition, after graduating from high school he enlisted in the Army and took the competitive examination for entrance into West Point. He won a place in the Class of ’35, accompanied by his close friend Bernard “Bud” Major. </p>
<p>Jack’s admission to the Academy preceded his 22d birthday (the age limit for Jack’s admission)<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> by three days; thus he became one of the oldest cadets in his class. At West Point, he was characterized in the 1935 Howitzer as a “straight shooter in rifle, pistol and life.” His leadership abilities and his expertise as a marksman were honed as the captain of the West Point Rifle Team. It also was at West Point that he met his bride—to-be, the dynamic Alice McAniff, who shared his life for the next 57 years.</span></p>
<p>When the war started in Europe, Jack joined the 18th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division for sea landing exercises along the Carolina and Virginia coasts. On 2 August 1942, the 18th Infantry, along with 17,000 other 1st Division troops, was packed on the Queen Mary on its way to war. After maneuvers and training in Scotland and England, Jack and the 18th entered combat in North Africa.</p>
<p>Christmas 1943 found the regiment in England preparing for the coming cross channel attack. By then, Jack was in command of the 2d Battalion of the 18th. On D-Day, 6 June 1944, at approximately 10 a.m., he led his battalion into combat on the Easy Red sector of Omaha Beach.</p>
<p>Jack’s Silver Star citation for his actions that day stated: “Despite intense enemy machine-gun, artillery, and mortar fire, Colonel Williamson made numerous trips across the hazardous beach to reorganize his battalion and bring the greatest possible pressure upon the enemy. Inspiring the men with his brilliant leadership, Colonel Williamson led a daring assault on enemy strong points and cleared the way for his organization’s advance. Colonel Williamson’ s tactics and techniques contributed immeasurably to the success of the invasion.”</p>
<p>It was clear to those who knew Jack that his religious beliefs played a major role in his successful leadership of troops. As written by the battalion chaplain, Father John P. Adamowski to Jack’s wife, Alice, on 22 August 1944: “The measure of the man in Colonel Williamson is in every way equal to his stature in religion. The record established by the 2d Battalion since DDay testifies in no uncertain way to his splendid and courageous ability to lead. I do not wish to alarm, but it is due solely, I am sure, to his good life and your fervent prayers that he has escaped serious injury and death in his disregard for personal safety.”</p>
<p>He received his second Silver Star for gallantry in action 20 November 1944 in the vicinity of Wenau, Germany; As recounted in the official Citation: .Fearlessly advancing across barren terrain under intense mortar and machinegun fire, Colonel Williamson reconnoitered .river crossings for his battalion and, at the risk of his life, maneuvered assault elements across the natural barrier with minimum casualties to our forces. Colonel Williamson’s brilliant leadership facilitated an important penetration of German defenses. His gallantry and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon the Armed Forces of the United States.”</p>
<p>Jack was with the 18th Infantry to the very end of the war, leading his men in title Battle of the Bulge, the Hurtgen Forest, the race to the German border, the crossing of the Rhine River, and finally in Czechoslovakia. During this time he had become the commanding officer of the 18th Regimental Combat Team. His final wartime decoration, the Legion of Merit, was awarded on 31 August 1945.</p>
<p>After the war, Jack was selected to attend the first class of the Army War College. From 1948 to 1952 he served in the Office of the Inspector General and alter as a regimental commander at West Point.</p>
<p>From 1954 to 1957, Jack served as Army attaché to Spain a particularly memorable and pleasurable experience for the Williamson family. In 1959 Jack and his family went to Taipei, Taiwan, where Jack served as chief of staff MAAG, Republic of China.</p>
<p>He concluded his career as deputy commander IV US Army Corps, on 31 July 1963. It was his final service coupled with his performance in Taiwan that led to the award of his second Legion of Merit.</p>
<p>Jack’s retirement to Melbourne, Florida followed. He spent his remaining years with Alice enjoying his family, friends, his church and his new—found talent for watercolor.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The family of John Williamson</p>
</body>
</html>