Major General P Drax Williams
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| Major General P Drax Williams
Born in Geneva, New York, Drax Williarns was raised in Bermuda where his father was Editor of the Bermudian magazine. Drax attended Cornell University and after graduation was commissioned in 1963. Drax received his wings as a Naval Aviator in 1965. Stationed in Hawaii for two years flying the F-8 Crusader, Drax was eventually transferred to Vietnam where he joined VMF(AW) - 235. There he flew F-8Es out of Da Nang. In April of 1968 General Williams reported to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines on the DMZ as Air Liaison Officer. Drax returned to the States in September of 1968 following completion of his first combat tour. He served for two years as a flight instructor at Chase Field, Texas. Drax returned to Quantico where he attended the Amphibious Warfare School, and in early 1971 he received temporary duty as Special Project Officer (Harrier)Liaison to U.S. Government Accounting Office. In August of 1971, Drax was transferred to Yuma, Arizona as a Flight Instructor for the A-4 Skyhawk. In September of 1972 General Williams began a second combat tour in Vietnam flying A-4s out of Bien Hoa with MAG12. He served as Aviation Safety Officer with MAG-12, and later as Operations Officer with VMA-211, flying over 300 combat missions. In August of 1973 Drax completed his second combat tour and returned to the States as Operations Officer of VMA-231 at Cherry Point, North Carolina. In 1975 he was assigned as Officer in Charge of VMA-513 Detachment A. This unit was given the primary mission of demonstrating the combat capabilities of the Harrier to the public. Following an assignment as Head, Aviation Section, Supporting Arms Branch of the Landing Force Training Command, Gen. Williarns attended the Armed Forces Staff College. Later he would attend the NATO Defense College in Italy, and would be assigned to Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Europe, as Chief of Plans. In 1985 Drax was transferred to Japan where he commanded Marine Aircraft Group-12. There he flew A-4s, A-6s, and A-7s. In 1987 he was made Deputy Commander of the Naval Space Command in Virginia. Drax also served as the Director of Public Affairs for Marine Corps Headquarters prior to being made Commander, Marine Corps Air Bases, Western Area. Drax served in this capacity until 1995 when he was made The Inspector General of the Marine Corps. Gen. Williams is married to the former Mary Hardie of Long Island New York, and has two daughters. His numerous decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal, 22 Strike/Flight Air Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat 'V', the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star. |