Locating the Uniform of Captain Lloyd William Williams, USMC

[pathfinder11]

Hello All,

I’m helping out a fellow researcher who is attempting to locate the uniform and or decorations of Marine Captain Lloyd William Williams who was killed on 11 June 1918 at Belleau Wood. His personnel file is missing from NARA and there are some uncertainties about his final rank (captain or major?) and even some of his decorations, as there is no complete listing of his medals. Back in the 1920s, maybe 1930s, the family loaned his dress blues and medals to someone who wished to display these items but they were never returned and have apparently vanished. Marine Corps History does not have them, nor does the Smithsonian. The hope in locating them is just to provide more information about what Williams received to help create a more accurate record of his military service. Any help appreciated!

Frank

[devildog34]

Williams' file was supposedly on loan to the Marine Corps according to NPRC. Since 1999 I have requested it 4-5 times and finally the last two times I was told it was loaned to the history division and they do not have it

[pathfinder11]

Williams' file was supposedly on loan to the Marine Corps according to NPRC. Since 1999 I have requested it 4-5 times and finally the last two times I was told it was loaned to the history division and they do not have it

 

 

I spoke to the history division about it, hence why I am asking about the uniform. Trying to track down clues

[devildog34]

 

 

I spoke to the history division about it, hence why I am asking about the uniform. Trying to track down clues

Well Williams was taken to the 5th Marines field hospital in Lucy where his gunshot wound to the side were initially treated. The nature of his injuries likely caused the tending physician Lt. Cmmdr Orlando Petty to remove the coat which would be the one that bore his final rank. That coat was most likely discarded. In fact during the treatment of Williams German shells set the hospital on fire necessitating a rapid evacuation of the facility. I highly doubt that uniform survived and even if it did it was probably discarded by the division salvage teams. I would be almost willing to bet my life on the fact that he was a Captain at the time of his death and his uniforms would have reflected that. His blues would almost assuredly not have gone to France.