KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Army Specialist Clarence Williams III of the 978th Military Police Company, 93rd Military Police Battalion, Fort Bliss, Texas, was one of many American Soldiers deployed to Afghanistan in the early 2010’s.
Williams was deployed in 2012, providing local support against the Taliban. Williams’ mission was to patrol the Afghan streets to provide support for American troops conducting stability operations, protect the people from the Taliban and to train local Afghan police who were in danger.
On July 8th, 2012, while driving in Maidan Shahr, the capital of Wardak Province, Afghanistan, his squad’s armored vehicle ran over a roadside explosive, killing everyone inside.
Specialist Williams died from the wounds he suffered during the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast. The IED used in this tragic event was estimated to contain over 200 pounds of explosive material, breaching the underside of the squad’s vehicle. The Taliban took credit for the attack. He and five others that day heroically and valiantly paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Williams received the Purple Heart for his support in Afghanistan and heroic sacrifice.
He is survived by his parents, Clarence Williams Jr. and Talisa Patterson Williams and his sisters Samantha Williams and Abrill Edwards. Also, a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Williams was laid to rest at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.
Editor's note:
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