[3] During World War I, Captain Williams was assigned to command the division's 51st Company in the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines Regiment.

On June 3, 1918, a brigade of Marines was sent to support the French army at the Battle of Belleau Wood.

When advised to withdraw by a French colonel at the defensive line just north of the village of Lucy-le-Bocage, Williams bluntly replied: "Retreat, hell!

"[4] On June 11, 1918, Williams led an assault that routed the German defenders at Belleau Wood near Chateau-Thierry, France.

Later, when Williams had been gassed and injured by shrapnel and lay wounded on the battlefield, he told the approaching medics, "Don't bother with me.