WILLIAMS, Lieutenant Colonel Robert George "Digger" 94, of Redington Beach, died peacefully on Aug. 20, 2012. He was a shining example of the true heroism of America's "Greatest Generation." Robert will forever have the gratitude of a nation, and of all those who were touched by his fortitude, gentleness, quiet intelligence and example of strength. Robert was the husband of the late Ada Frances Williams. He was born on Sept. 26, 1917, in Lisbon, OH, from which both of his great-grandfathers, George Lyman Miller & Isaiah McCormick had served as soldiers in the Union Army during the Civil War. His maternal grandfather, Lyman Miller moved his family to St. Petersburg, FL in 1923 to develop hotels. He was the son of the late George B. and Virginia M. Williams of St. Petersburg. Throughout his young life, Robert had a burning desire to become a pilot. After graduating from St. Petersburg Junior College, in 1938, he received initial flight instruction as an aviation cadet at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Pensacola. In Oct. of 1940, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and entered flight training school, receiving his commission as a Sergeant Pilot in October 1941. As World War II engulfed Europe, Robert was assigned to the 611 Fighter Squadron of the Royal Air Force of Great Britain and transferred to Scotland, in Nov. of 1941. As the German Luftwaffe tried in vain to break the will of the British people through relentless bombing, Robert flew thirty-three combat missions with the Royal Air Force flying Mark 9 Spitfires. During this time, he received the nickname "Digger" from other pilots in his squadron. In recognition of his service he was promoted to the rank of Pilot Officer. While stationed in Biggin Hill Royal Air Force Base, south of London, he met Ada Frances Bridger, his future bride, a Corporal in the Woman's Auxiliary Air Force, the female auxiliary of the Royal Air Force. When the United States entered the war in Dec. of 1941, it had a great need for experienced pilots. In Sept. of 1942, Robert joined his fellow Americans and transferred to the United States Army Air Corps, 4th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force stationed in Debden, England. He flew a hundred and four combat missions over Germany and occupied France. After more than two years of combat missions, on March 21, 1944, Robert was shot down over Angers, France while strafing German military installations as commander of a squadron of P 51 Mustangs. He sustained injuries, and was captured by German soldiers. After resisting interrogation, he was taken to Stalag Luft 1, a German prisoner of war camp in Barth, Germany on the Baltic Sea. After more than a year, the Russian Army liberated the camp in May of 1945. After being liberated, he and his fellow POWs in turn, liberated the nearby Barth concentration camp. He returned to England and married Ada Frances Bridger on June 1, 1945. For his heroic service to the United States, Robert was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Valor in Combat. He was also awarded four Air Medals for Combat Operations, a Purple Heart and the POW Medal among other awards. After the war, Robert began a distinguished twenty-eight year career with the United States Air Force, serving as a Fighter pilot instructor, Jet Bomber Pilot, Bombing Wing Commander, ICBM Missile Combat Commander, Sector Commander in the 551st Strategic Missile Squadron and Base Commander in the Strategic Air Command. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in Aug. 1970 at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. Robert Williams served three nations in combat during World War II. He never gave up in the face of adversity; he always tried to do his best. Robert Williams lived a life of courage, dedication and honor, a true American hero. Robert was the adored father of two children, Valerie Williams of Tampa, and Kenneth Williams & his wife, Leslie O'Brien of Santa Monica, CA. He was the beloved grandfather of Carlisle Williams of New York City & Jamison Williams of Santa Monica, CA. Memorial services will be held with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Lieutenant Colonel Robert G. Williams to the American Air Museum c/o Imperial War Museum Duxford, Cambridgeshire CB2 4QR, United Kingdom.

Published in the Tampa Bay Times on August 26, 2012