Jay Williams (Medal of Honor)

In four days of fighting he served with conspicuous courage.

Jay P. Williams was born on 23 September 1872 in Orland, Indiana. He entered the United States Navy and served as a coxswain in USS Newark.

During the Boxer conflict in 1900, Newark supplied men to the international expedition attempting to reach the foreign legations in Peking. Williams served with the Allied relief force in China. His Medal of Honor citation recognized his conduct in the presence of the enemy on 13, 20, 21 and 22 June. These actions took place during the difficult fighting of the relief expedition, when the naval parties faced attacks and obstruction along their route. The citation singled him out for meritorious conduct over several days rather than describing a single rescue or assault.

The Navy awarded his Medal of Honor under General Order 55 of 19 July 1901. The award was accredited to Ohio. Williams survived the campaign and later lived in Norwalk, Ohio. He died there on 4 July 1938 and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery. His naval service in China is remembered among the American sailors and Marines decorated for the relief expedition.

Official Medal of Honor citation

In action with the relief expedition of the Allied forces in China, 13, 20, 21, and 22 June 1900. During this period and in the presence of the enemy, Williams distinguished himself by meritiorious conduct.