MAJ Dwayne Williams, USA

After graduating from the Army Command and General Staff College in June 2001, Major Williams reported to the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, the Pentagon, where he served as the Joint Officer Distribution Manager under the Director for Military Personnel Management. 

In each of his assignments, Major Williams served with distinction, professionalism and pride. He loved his job, his Army and his country, and dedicated his life to the service of his family and his Nation. He touched hundreds of lives with his enthusiasm, energy and love of God and country. He mentored young officers and provided wise counsel and guidance to his soldiers and noncommissioned officers. America’s soldiers were well cared for and well trained under the leadership of Major Dwayne Williams. 

Major Williams died suddenly and tragically in the terrorist attack on the Pentagon on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. He died honorably, as a Soldier would, serving his Army, his country and his fellow soldiers. America has lost an outstanding soldier, husband, father, brother and son. 

Major Williams’ military education included the Basic Airborne Course, the Jungle Warfare School, Ranger School, the Adjutant General’s Corps Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, and the Army Command and General Staff College. 

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, three Army Achievement Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with two stars, the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Kuwait Liberation Medal, the Ranger Tab and the Parachute Badge. 

Major Williams, from Jacksonville, Alabama, is survived by his wife, the former Tammy Cooper of Florence, Alabama; his son, Tyler, 17, a senior at Hayfield High School in Alexandria, Virginia; and his daughter, Kelsie, 13, an eighth-grader at Hayfield Middle School in Alexandria. 

“I Am” by Kelsie Williams – 6th Hour, September 18, 2001 

I am a crazy/hyper 13-year-old who loves to cheerlead. 
I wonder who I will be married to in the next few years. 
I hear thunder in the middle of the night. 
I see cats talking. 
I want to own my own business that will turn out to be a huge success.
I am a crazy/hyper 13-year-old who loves to cheerlead.
I pretend that I am someone famous.
I feel the pain of my father on my heart.
I touch my father’s face as if he were beside me.
I worry if my father is alive or dead.
I cry for all the people that have lost someone special.
I am a crazy/hyper 13-year-old who loves to cheerlead.
I understand the frustration of not knowing where your loved ones are.
I say to myself that he is alive.
I dream that he is walking in the door of my house and
saying that he is okay.
I try to keep hope alive.
I hope that my father is okay.
I am a crazy/hyper 13-year-old who loves to cheerlead.