John Francis Williams was born 15 September 1921, near Hinton, Iowa to Earl Charles and Laura (Smith) Williams. Siblings are Lester, Melvin, Jean, Daryl, Doris, Howard, Richard (he served in Korea), Paul, and Gary. I went to Rural #3 school, and graduated from Central High School, Sioux City, in 1940.
I was drafted 13 October 1942, Fort Crook, Nebraska. Basic training was at Amarilla, Texas. I trained on B24s at Ford Motor Company, Willow Run, Ypsilanti, Michigan. B29 training was with Boeing Technical Aircraft at Seattle, Washington.
I served at Guam with the 315th Bomb Wing, crew chief on B29s, and Iwo Jima with the 16th Bomb group. I received ribbons, on the Air Offensive over Japan, the Eastern mandates. Received the WWII Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal/Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal/Ribbon, and the Good Conduct Medal.
I was Honorably Discharged, 10 February 1946, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, after serving 3 years, and 3 months.
I married Joyce Elaine Andres, 11 June 1949, in Sioux City.
To this union was born Patti, Dorothy, Steven, and Mark. We have nine grandchildren, Jamey, Angela, Lee, Brooke, Lucas, Marcus, Laura, Lindsay, and Mallory. Step grandchildren are Josh, Adam and Cody Matney.
When I came home from the service, I worked at Swift and Company before farming full time in Leeds and later Kingsley.
I am a member of the American Legion Duane M. Nelson Post No. 1981.
I was a part of the group of planes who flew over the U.S.S. Missouri, on VJ Day in Toyko.
Submitted by John Francis William
