| Signatures for : Crusader | | A list of all signatures from our database who are associated with this aircraft. A profile page is available by clicking their name. | | Name | Info |
Capt E Royce Williams USN
Click the name above to see prints signed by Capt E Royce Williams USN | Capt E Royce Williams USN
Royce Williams was born in Wilmot, South Dakota in 1925. In 1936 his family moved to Clinton, Minnesota where a familyowned grocery business was established. Royee worked in the business, but preferred outside work including activities at his Uncle's farm and lakeside resort. He was active in the 411 club and the Boy Scouts, and became the first young man from Clinton to attain Eagle Scout status. In high school Royce played three sports, including quarterback on his school's football team. He graduated first in his class. Royce had boyhood dreams of becoming a military pilot. His older brother had Joined the Navy in 1942, becoming a Marine Corps aviator. In March of 1943 Royce Joined up, and he became a naval aviator. Royce became carrier qualified in the F6F Hellcat on the old USS Ranger (CV-4.) He flew the F6F, and later the F4U Corsair and the F8F Bearcat. Royce attended the University of Minnesota where he earned his Bachelors Degree. He later would attend the Navy Postgraduate School in Monterey. Royee eventually transitioned to jets, where his first operational deployment was on board the USSOriskany, flyingthe17917-5 Panther. While deployed in Korea with the VF-781 (later redesignated V17-121) Pacemakers, Royee engaged seven Soviet-piloted Mig-15s on November 18, 1952. The Oriskany was only 100 miles from V1adivostok. Shortly after take-off Williain's flight of four Panthers encountered the seven Migs. Royce was instructed to reverse course and hold a barrier between the Migs and the Task Force, but the Migs attacked. It is believed that Royce downed three of the bogies, although official reports credited him with only one. With his Panther badly shot-up R oyce limped back to the Oriskany and got his aircraft home with the help of the LSO and ship's Captain. The engagement was politically sensitive as the US Government feared escalating Soviet involvement in the War in Korea. Mig kills were rare for the Navy in Korea (only 55 aerial victories), and the Panther was generally outclassed by the Mig-15 in most dogfights. Royce remained in the Navy until his retirement in 1980. He served as an exchange pilot with the USAF flying the F-86 and F-100. He also served as CO, XO and of VF-33 on board the USS Enterprise flying the F8-E Crusader, and later on board the USS America flying the F-4 Phantom 11. He also served as an Air Wing Commander during the Vietnam War. He also served as CO of the USS Eldorado, with CINCPAC Staff as COS ConiFAITWestPac, and as ACOS OPS ComTracPac. Royee's decorations include the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with Combat V, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Bronze Star Medal. He married his hometown sweetheart, Cam, in 1947. They have three sons. Royce currently resides in Southern California.
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Major General P Drax Williams
Click the name above to see prints signed by Major General P Drax Williams | Major General P Drax Williams
Born in Geneva, New York, Drax Williarns was raised in Bermuda where his father was Editor of the Bermudian magazine. Drax attended Cornell University and after graduation was commissioned in 1963. Drax received his wings as a Naval Aviator in 1965. Stationed in Hawaii for two years flying the F-8 Crusader, Drax was eventually transferred to Vietnam where he joined VMF(AW) - 235. There he flew F-8Es out of Da Nang. In April of 1968 General Williams reported to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines on the DMZ as Air Liaison Officer. Drax returned to the States in September of 1968 following completion of his first combat tour. He served for two years as a flight instructor at Chase Field, Texas. Drax returned to Quantico where he attended the Amphibious Warfare School, and in early 1971 he received temporary duty as Special Project Officer (Harrier)Liaison to U.S. Government Accounting Office. In August of 1971, Drax was transferred to Yuma, Arizona as a Flight Instructor for the A-4 Skyhawk. In September of 1972 General Williams began a second combat tour in Vietnam flying A-4s out of Bien Hoa with MAG12. He served as Aviation Safety Officer with MAG-12, and later as Operations Officer with VMA-211, flying over 300 combat missions. In August of 1973 Drax completed his second combat tour and returned to the States as Operations Officer of VMA-231 at Cherry Point, North Carolina. In 1975 he was assigned as Officer in Charge of VMA-513 Detachment A. This unit was given the primary mission of demonstrating the combat capabilities of the Harrier to the public. Following an assignment as Head, Aviation Section, Supporting Arms Branch of the Landing Force Training Command, Gen. Williarns attended the Armed Forces Staff College. Later he would attend the NATO Defense College in Italy, and would be assigned to Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Europe, as Chief of Plans. In 1985 Drax was transferred to Japan where he commanded Marine Aircraft Group-12. There he flew A-4s, A-6s, and A-7s. In 1987 he was made Deputy Commander of the Naval Space Command in Virginia. Drax also served as the Director of Public Affairs for Marine Corps Headquarters prior to being made Commander, Marine Corps Air Bases, Western Area. Drax served in this capacity until 1995 when he was made The Inspector General of the Marine Corps. Gen. Williams is married to the former Mary Hardie of Long Island New York, and has two daughters. His numerous decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal, 22 Strike/Flight Air Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat'W, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star.
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