Sgt. Chester L. Williams

Sgt. Chester Lawrence Williams, B Battery, 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 31st Regimental Combat Team, 7th Marine Regiment became Missing in Action during the Korean War on December 6, 1950 in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea.  On that day the 31st Regimental Combat Team fought soldiers of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces as part of the 1st Marine Division’s attack south from Hagaru-Ri to Koto-Ri, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

During Operation Little Switch (April 20 to May 3, 1953), sick, wounded, and injured Prisoners of War from each side were exchanged.  Each Little Switch returnee was interviewed in a quest for information about other Prisoners of War.  None of them had any information concerning then Corporal Williams.  At the end of the Korean War, returning POWs were interviewed during operation Big Switch (the exchange of all remaining POWs, occurring between August 5 and September 5, 1953) for information regarding POWs.  During the interview process, a returning POW reported that Cpl. Williams died during the month of December 1950 near the Chosin Reservoir, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea at a location known as Death Valley.  Based on this information, the U.S. Army declared Cpl. Williams dead as of December 31, 1950 and posthumously promoted him to the rank of Sergeant effective May 1, 1953.  Sgt. Williams was buried near the Chosin Reservoir where his body remained until 1994.  On September 14, 1994 his remains were transferred to Hawaii as a part of a unilateral action conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.  From 1994 until earlier this year, the Army has conducted an exhaustive process to positively identify his remains.  On Friday, September 28th Sgt. Williams remains will be brought back to Pennsylvania after being listed as a POW for 62 years.

Sgt. Chester Lawrence Williams was 32 years old at the time of his death.  He was born August 31, 1918 in Clymer, NY, a son of Benjamin and Maude Brown Williams.  He grew up in Conneaut Lake and was a 1937 graduate of Conneaut Lake High School.  He had been employed at Conneaut Lake Park.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army August 30, 1941, served in World War II in the European Theater of Operations, and was discharged September 11, 1945.  Following the death of a close friend in the Korean War, he re-enlisted to serve in Korea.

He was the recipient of numerous medals, awards, and citations for his service in both World War II and Korea.  He received the Purple Heart, Prisoner of War Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Korea War Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation (Navy), Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII, and Gold Star Lapel Button.

Survivors include three nephews, Clifford (Tom) Williams of Meadville, Daniel Williams of Saegertown, and Paul Keene of Conneaut Lake; two nieces, Pauline Brooks of Linesville and Nancy of Meadville; and numerous great-nieces; great-nephews; great-great-nieces; and great-great-nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, John R. Williams and Arthur Williams and three sisters, Sara Keith, Mary Keene Hazen, and Cecile Williams O’Neal.

A graveside funeral service with military honors will be Sunday, September 30th at 2:00 p.m. at Greendale Cemetery, Meadville.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville.