Williams, Coleman O., 1922-

Coleman O. Williams, Jr. (b. 1922, Columbia, S.C.), U.S. Air Force officer, entered the aviation cadet program in 1941 and completed pilot training the following year. He served as a lead pilot, flight commander, and assistant squadron operations officer in the 360th Bombardment Group, flying 54 combat missions in the European Theater of Operations. In 1950 he began an assignment as deputy director of plans and aircraft commander, Military Air Transport Service (MATS), Pacific Division. His career at MATS continued when he was appointed commander, 30th Air Transport Squadron, then commander, 1611th Air Transport Group; and later, director of research and development and chief pilot at command HQ. In 1962 General Williams became commander, 34th Tactical Group, flying 108 combat missions in Vietnam. He was appointed vice commander and chief of staff, 315th Air Division, in 1967, and flew thirty-seven more combat missions in Vietnam. He assumed command of the 2750th Air Base Wing and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in 1968, and retired in 1970.