Eugene Williams
Eugene Lamar Williams Jr. was born and raised in St. Petersburg, where he graduated from St. Petersburg High and then attended the University of Florida on a track scholarship. After a year-and-a-half at UF Mr. Williams entered the US Army, and began training at Camp Blanding. He became an officer and was sent to Europe. After VE day he was on his way to the Pacific theater when the announcement came that the war was over. Mr. Williams returned to the University of Florida where he completed his degree in engineering and then spent a successful 20+ years in the telephone industry before transitioning to a career in finance. He has been active in St. Petersburg civic affairs for decades.
Video Oral History
Below are excerpts from an oral history interview with Eugene Williams describing his childhood in St. Petersburg, his memories of training at Camp Blanding, and his experiences in World War II. The oral history interview was conducted by Jim Schnur, Special Collections Librarian, Poynter Library, University of South Florida St. Petersburg in January 2009.
- Early years in St. Petersburg
- Discusses Early years in St. Petersburg including his father’s lumber yard.
- Off to college
- Talks about graduating from St. Petersburg High and receiving call to join the track team at University of Florida, where he worked in the cafeteria. He became student manager of the cafeteria as a sophomore because so many others had gone to war.
- Why we dropped the bomb
- Talks about letter he wrote to his children about how dropping the A bomb probably saved his life.
- Camp Blanding
- Talks about his experiences at Camp Blanding.
- Basic, ASTP, and shots
- Talks about basic training; ASTP (Army Specialized Training Program); and giving troops tetanus shots with no training.
- Becoming an officer
- Talks about signing up for Officer Candidate School (OCS) and being accepted. Tells story of how he fires a gun at expert level and was commissioned as officer at the age of 20.
- Training
- Discusses being commissioned, training, and his orders to Europe as a replacement. He was sent to LeHavre.
- France
- Talks about what it was like in France. Harbor town of Le Havre was somewhat hostile because they had experienced many civilian casualties caused by Allied bombing on German U-boats in their harbor. Tells of better reception as they traveled other places in France. Tells story of seeing snow for first time in life. Tells story about train ride to Belgium and the reaction of the Belgians on VE day.
- After VE day
- Talks about troops’ feelings on VE day and after. Apprehension of troops worried about going to the Pacific. Speaks about training in Germany in preparation for Pacific and having to lead a march for the first time. Loaded on ship to Pacific, hears rumors of bomb, announcement of Japan’s surrender, and celebration.
- Prisoners with guns
- Talks about return to Texas camp and assignment to disciplinary unit and rehabilitation – particular story of time prisoners all had guns and he did not.
- A close call
- Tells story of homecoming. Discusses how he was lucky, only had one close call during time in Belgium. Also talks about the possibilities of accidents during training and service.
- Home again
- Discusses return home, including: transition program for servicemen, his dad helping him find work, the amount of money he earned during his service, buying a used car, and returning to University of Florida to finish degree. Discusses return to University of Florida and switching major to engineering based on credits he received during training and graduating with honors. Interviewing and taking first job at Southern Bell. He had a career with the phone company for 25 years before moving into finance.
- UF after the war
- Talks about University of Florida campus before and after war including: old barracks turned into dorms, married housing, living in Murphy Hall, and GI Bill.
- Meeting Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
- Tells story of meeting Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.
- Marriage
- Tells story of meeting wife, Miriam Gilbart, her engagement to someone else, the tragic death of her parents, his proposal to her, and their family together.
- Black troops
- Talks about training black troops and the sad story about black troops not being entitled to a land lottery for veterans after the war.
- A lottery
- Talks of having his name drawn first in a lottery for land after the war.
- Nazi memorabilia
- Showing memorabilia he collected that had Nazi insignias and how cleaning lady thought he was a Nazi because he had these items.
Documents
- Majority of Lots Worth Less Than $300
- Eugene Williams's name was pulled first in a drawing for free lots for veterans in St. Petersburg. Name was misprinted as Bill instead of Eugene.
- Letter from Eugene Williams to his four children regarding his thoughts about dropping the A-bomb
- Letter from Eugene Williams to his four children regarding his thoughts about dropping the A-bomb.
- Letter appointing Eugene Williams to the Officers Reserve Corps.
- Letter appointing Eugene Williams to the Officers Reserve Corps
- Armed Forces Induction Extract
- Armed Forces Induction Extract listing men including Eugene Williams who are transferred to the Enlisted Reserve Corps.
- Pictures of Eugene Williams as a high jumper and hurdler at University of Florida
- Pictures of Eugene Williams as a high-jumper and hurdler at University of Florida.
- Honorable Discharge certificate
- Honorable Discharge certificate.
- Letter from Eugene Williams to his parents dated May 1, 1945
- Letter from Eugene Williams to his parents dated May 1, 1945.
- Letter from Eugene Williams to his parents dated May 3, 1945
- Letter from Eugene Williams to his parents dated May 3, 1945.
- Letter from Eugene Williams to his parents dated May 7, 1945
- Letter from Eugene Williams to his parents dated May 7, 1945.
- Letter from Eugene Williams to his parents dated June 16, 1945
- Letter from Eugene Williams to his parents dated June 16, 1945.
- Program for Graduation Exercises: Engineer Officer Candidate Course
- Program for Graduation Exercises: Engineer Officer Candidate Course
- Letter promoting Eugene Williams to 2nd Lieutenant
- Letter promoting Eugene Williams to 2nd Lieutenant.
- Letter promoting Eugene Williams to 2nd Lieutenant
- Letter promoting Eugene Williams to 2nd Lieutenant.
- Short news articles about Eugene Williams while in the Army
- Short news articles about Eugene Williams while in the Army.
- Unit history 1285th Engineer Combat Battalion
- Unit history 1285th Engineer Combat Battalion.
- Voyage certificate for return to the United States from France
- Voyage certificate for return to the United States from France.
Currency
- Deutschland One Mark
- Deutschland One Mark
- Deutschland One-Half Mark
- Deutschland One-Half Mark
- Five Francs
- Five Francs
