Felix D. Williamson

Felix D. Williamson was born on July 26, 1921, in Crisp County, Georgia. Williamson enlisted into the United States Army in September 1941. He subsequently went to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, where he was transferred to the United States Army Air Forces.[1]

Williamson was soon assigned to the 62nd Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, Eight Air Force. Williamson's squadron was assigned to Royal Air Force Station Halesworth in Suffolk, England. The 62nd Fighter Squadron flew P-47 Thunderbolts in Europe, and Williamson named his aircraft "Georgia Peach." On November 29, 1943, First Lieutenant Williamson downed his first German plane, sharing a victory with a fellow fighter pilot.[2]

On April 19, 1944, Captain Williamson's squadron moved to Royal Air Force Station Boxted in Essex, England. On December 23, 1944, Williamson downed two German planes, becoming an ace and bringing his total number of victories to six.[2]

Captain Williamson claimed his next series of victories on January 14, 1945. On that date, he shot down five enemy planes during a single mission. For his actions, Williamson was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[2][3]

On February 3, 1945, Williamson downed two more German planes, claiming his final victories and finished the war with 13 total kills. In addition to his Distinguished Service Cross, Williamson was awarded four Distinguished Flying Crosses and eleven Air Medals.[1][3]

After the war, Williamson was promoted to major and was assigned to the 1st Fighter Group at March Field in Riverside County, California. At March Field, Williamson flew the United States' first operational fighter jet, the P-80 Shooting Star.[3]

On January 24, 1947, Major Felix D. Williamson was killed in a mid-air collision with another P-80 pilot near March Field. He was buried at Penia Baptist Church Cemetery in Cordele, Georgia.[1][3]

His awards include:[4]

USAAF Pilot Badge
	Distinguished Service Cross
	Distinguished Flying Cross with three bronze oak leaf clusters
	Air Medal with two silver oak leaf clusters
	American Defense Service Medal
	American Campaign Medal
	European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with silver and bronze campaign stars
	World War II Victory Medal

	Army Presidential Unit Citation with bronze oak leaf cluster

Distinguished Service Cross citation

Williamson, Felix D.

Captain, U.S. Army Air Forces

62d Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, Eighth Air force

Date of Action: January 14, 1945

Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Felix D. Williamson, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 62d Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, Eighth Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 14 January 1945, in the European Theater of Operations. On this date Captain Williamson became ACE in a day, shooting down five enemy aircraft in a single mission. Captain Williamson's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.[3]