GOVERNOR STITT WELCOMES MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT ARMY MASTER SGT. MATTHEW WILLIAMS TO OKLAHOMA
“It is an honor and privilege to welcome Medal of Honor recipient Master Sgt. Williams to our state,” said Governor Kevin Stitt. “Master Sgt. Williams selflessly braved enemy fire in order to successfully save the lives of his fellow comrades. His heroic actions, leadership and bravery are inspiring and we are so proud to thank him for continuing to faithfully serve our country.”
The Medal of Honor is the highest award for bravery that can be awarded to members of America’s armed forces for exceptional acts of valor.
Williams was originally awarded the Silver Star for his heroic actions in 2008, and President Donald J. Trump upgraded his decoration to the Medal of Honor during a ceremony at the White House on October 30, 2019.
An active service Green Beret, Williams receives this award in recognition of his heroic actions while on mission in the Shok Valley of Nuristan Province in Afghanistan on April 6, 2008. Williams helped evacuate four of his wounded teammates from the mountains of Shok Valley as the unit took fire from insurgents.
A 3rd Special Forces Group operations sergeant, Williams graduated from Angelo State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Driven to serve, Williams enlisted into the Army under the 18X Special Forces enlistment program in September 2005.
After completing Infantry One Station Unit Training, Williams attended Basic Airborne Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He then went through the Special Forces assessment and selection process in 2006 and was accepted into the program. In 2007, Williams graduated as a weapons sergeant from the Special Forces Qualification Course and was assigned to Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne).
Throughout his career, Williams deployed multiple times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Juniper Shield serving in numerous positions, including weapons sergeant, Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd SFG (A); senior weapons sergeant, Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd SFG (A); senior weapons sergeant, Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd SFG (A); senior instructor/writer Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group; senior weapons sergeant, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd SFG (A); and operations sergeant, Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd SFG (A).
Master Leader Course; Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape; Special Forces Qualification Course; the Defense Language Institute’s French Course; Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course; Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance Target Exploitation Course; Basic instructor Training and Small Group Instructor Training.
Williams’ awards and decorations include the Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Clasp and four Loops, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral “4,” Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral “3,” Valorous Unit Award, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Special Forces Tab.
Williams resides in North Carolina with his wife and son.
For more information about Master Sergeant Matthew Williams, click here.
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