title: Matthew O. Williams
text: # Matthew O. Williams
  
  Matthew O. Williams (born October 3, 1981) is a sergeant major in the United States Army. He received the Medal of Honor on October 30, 2019, for his actions on April 6, 2008, as a member of Operational Detachment Alpha 3336, Special Operations Task Force 11, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan in the Battle of Shok Valley.
  
  ## Early life
  
  Williams was born October 3, 1981, and spent most of his childhood in the small town of Boerne, Texas. He initially wanted to be a detective or work for the FBI when he grew up, so he obtained a bachelor's degree in criminal justice at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas. After 9/11, Williams started rethinking how he could serve his country. He researched Special Forces programs and, in September 2005, joined the United States Army.
  
  ## Military career
  
  In 2007, two years after he had joined the army, Williams became a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (18B) with the 3rd Special Forces Group. Williams' first deployment was to Afghanistan and, on April 6, 2008, his unit was tasked to capture or kill high-value targets in the Shok Valley. The operation led to the events for which Williams was awarded the Medal of Honor.
  
  Williams, Lieutenant Colonel William D. Swenson, Sergeant Major Thomas Payne and Master Sergeant Earl Plumlee are the only Medal of Honor recipients still on active duty. Williams was promoted to sergeant major during a ceremony at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on February 28, 2020.
  
  ## Awards and decorations
  
  Personal decorations :
  
  | | Medal of Honor (upgraded from the Silver Star) |
  | - | - |
  | | Bronze Star Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters |
  | | Meritorious Service Medal |
  | | Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters |
  | | Army Achievement Medal |
  | | Army Good Conduct Medal (5 awards) |
  | | National Defense Service Medal |
  | | Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars |
  | | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |
  | | NCO Professional Development Ribbon with bronze award numeral 4 |
  | | Army Service Ribbon |
  | | Army Overseas Service Ribbon with award numeral 3 |
  | | NATO Medal for service with ISAF |
  | Unit awards ||
  | | Valorous Unit Award |
  
  Other accoutrements :
  
  * Combat Infantryman Badge
  * Special Forces Tab
  * Basic Parachutist Badge with 3rd Special Forces Group background trimming
  * Expert Marksmanship Badge with one weapon bar
  * Special Forces (United States Army) Combat Service Identification Badge
  * Dutch Parachutist Badge with star
  * Special Forces (United States Army) Distinctive Unit Insignia
  * 5 Service stripes
  * 5 Overseas Service Bars
  
  ## Medal of Honor citation
  
  The President of the United States
  
  In the Name of the Congress
  
  Takes Pleasure in Presenting The Medal of Honor To
  
  Sergeant Matthew O. Williams
  
     For Services as Set Forth in the Following Citation:
     Sergeant Williams distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on 6 April 2008, while serving as a Weapons Sergeant, Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 3336, Special Operations Task Force-33, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Sergeant Williams was part of an assault element inserted by helicopter into a location in Afghanistan. As the assault element was moving up a mountain toward its objective, it was engaged by intense enemy machine gun, sniper, and rocket-propelled grenade fire. The lead portion of the assault element, which included the ground commander, sustained several casualties and became pinned down on the sheer mountainside. Sergeant Williams, upon hearing that the lead element had sustained casualties and was in danger of being overrun, braved intense enemy fire to lead a counter-attack across a valley of ice-covered boulders and a fast-moving, ice cold, and waist-deep river. Under withering fire, Sergeant Williams and his local national commandos fought up the terraced mountainside to the besieged element. Arriving at the lead element's position, Sergeant Williams arrayed his Afghan commandos to provide suppressive fire, which kept the insurgent fighters from overrunning the position. When the Team Sergeant was wounded, Sergeant Williams braved enemy fire once again to provide buddy-aid and to move the Team Sergeant down the sheer mountainside to the casualty collection point. Sergeant Williams then fought and climbed his way back up the mountainside to help defend the lead assault element that still had several serious casualties in need of evacuation. Sergeant Williams directed suppressive fire and exposed himself to enemy fire in order to reestablish the team's critical satellite radio communications. He then assisted with moving the wounded down the near-vertical mountainside to the casualty collection point. Noting that the collection point was about to be overrun by enemy fighters, Sergeant Williams led the Afghan commandos in a counter-attack that lasted for several hours. When helicopters arrived to evacuate the wounded, Sergeant Williams again exposed himself to enemy fire, carrying and loading casualties onto the helicopters while continuing to direct commando firepower to suppress numerous insurgent positions. His actions enabled the patrol to evacuate wounded and dead comrades without further casualties. Sergeant Williams' complete disregard for his own safety and his concern for the safety of his teammates ensured the survival of four critically wounded soldiers and prevented the lead element of the assault force from being overrun by the enemy. Sergeant Williams' actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, Special Operations Command Central, and the United States Army.
  
  ## Personal life
  
  Williams lives in North Carolina, with his wife Kate and son Nolan.
  
  