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Wikipedia describes the “Greatest Generation” as this:  ‘the generation of people born from 1901 to 1927.  They were shaped by the Great Depression and were the primary generation composing the enlisted forces in World War II.  Over 16 million Americans served in World War II, the majority being members of this generation.’

In the April 1, 1946 edition of the Troy Messenger is this story about Captain Edwin S. Williams, of Goshen.

At ceremonies held recently in the Post Commanders’ office, Headquarters Camp Rucker, Lt. Col. C. R. Yeager, Commanding Officer of Camp Rucker, presented the Bronze Star Medal which was posthumously awarded to Captain Edwin S. Williams and accepted by Mrs. Dorothy Finlay Williams, of Goshen; widow of Captain Williams.

The award which was made by the direction of the President was accompanied by the following citation.

“For heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy on 27, November, 1944, in the vicinity of …………Germany.  Returning from a reconnaissance into enemy lines, Captain Williams and his party encountered an enemy mine field which resulted in the injury of one enlisted man and the temporary blinding of an officer.  After sending a man to an aid station for help, Captain Williams administered emergency first aid to the enlisted man and then carried him through the mine-field toward the aid station until he was met by medical men.  Captain Williams’ quick thinking and unselfish courage are in the highest traditions of the military service.”

In addition to the Bronze Star Medal, Mrs. Williams also received the Combat Infantryman’s Badge which was awarded by Headquarters 13th Infantry, 14 September, 1944, for meritorious service in ground combat against the enemy.

Before entering the service, Captain Williams, a native of Furman, was a theatre manager at Selma, Alabama.  He died Jan. 4, 1945 of wounds received in action with the First Army while leading a patrol in the vicinity of the Roer River in Germany.  He served with the Third, Ninth and First Armies in France, Belgium and Germany.

Others who attended the presentation of the awards were:  Captain Williams mother, Mrs. John S. Williams; sister, Mrs. L. S. Moorer, Jr., Mr. L. S. Moorer, Jr., and son, John L. S. Moorer, III, Furman; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Finlay, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Wilson and Mr. and Mrs. Lamar Wood of Goshen, and Campbell Finlay of Birmingham.

All of these articles can be found in previous editions of The Troy Messenger.  Stay tuned for more.  Dianne Smith is the President of the Pike County Historical, Genealogical and Preservation Society.