Raymond E. S. Williamson

Brigadier General Raymond Eccleston Serveira Williamson (September 1, 1894 – September 27, 1957) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Army who served in both World War I and World War II. A graduate of the United States Military Academy, he is most noted for his service during World War II as commanding general of Service Command, South Pacific Theater of Operations and as the assistant division commander (ADC) of the 91st Infantry Division during the Italian campaign.

Williamson remained in the army following the end of World War II, and held several important assignments, including Military Attaché to Canada and later the United Kingdom and commanding general (CG) of the 3rd Armored Division.

Early years Williamson was born on September 1, 1894, in Brooklyn, New York, as the son of Sidney and Alice Williamson. Following high school, he studied one year at Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts, before received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, in May 1913. During his time at the academy, he was active in the boxing team and reached the rank of cadet captain.

Between the wars Following the Armistice with Germany on November 11, 1918, which brought the war to an end, Williamson was attached to the 1st Division and took part in the Allied occupation of the Rhineland. He returned to the United States in mid-1919 and served as a troop commander at Fort Myer, Virginia, with additional duty as junior aide to the White House during the tenure of President Warren G. Harding.

World War II Following America's entry into World War II, in December 1941, Williamson was, on February 1, 1942, promoted to the temporary rank of colonel

Williamson remained in the South Pacific until the end of November 1943 and returned to the United States. Following a brief leave at home, he received orders to join the headquarters of the 91st Infantry Division, commanded by Major General William G. Livesay, at Camp White, Oregon, as the 91st's assistant division commander (ADC), taking over from brigadier General William E. Crist. After several months of training, the 91st Division departed for the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO) in April 1944.

Postwar career Williamson returned to the United States and was ordered to Chicago, Illinois, where he joined the headquarters, Second United States Army under Lieutenant General Lloyd Fredendall as his Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations (G-3). He remained in that capacity until February 1946, when he was reverted to the peacetime rank of colonel and appointed Military Attaché to Canada with a seat at the Embassy in Ottawa. Williamson served in that capacity until the end of May 1949, when he returned to the United States for brief service as Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations (G-3) at Armored Center, Fort Knox, Kentucky.