George Washington Williams ( naval officer ) George Washington Williams was born in Yorkville , South Carolina , on 30 July 1869 . Navy career . Williams graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1890 . He served the required two years of sea duty in " Pensacola " , before he was commissioned an ensign on 1 July 1892 . Late 19th century / early 20th century assignments . Williams served in a succession of sea and shore billets throughout the 19th century : the former in USS " Essex " , " Columbia " , " Yankee " , " Buffalo " , " Panther " , " Richmond " , and " Monongahela " ; the latter at the Naval Torpedo Station , Newport , Rhode Island . In addition , he served on the staff of the Commander in Chief , Asiatic Fleet , in 1899 and commanded the torpedo boat " Bainbridge " in 1903 before commanding the 1st Torpedo Boat Flotilla . Reporting to " Wisconsin " on 5 April 1905 , Williams subsequently joined the protected cruiser " Chicago " for a tour of duty which included participating in relief efforts at San Francisco , California , in the wake of the destructive San Francisco earthquake and fire which destroyed much of that city . In the years immediately preceding World War I , Williams served as ordnance officer in " Montana " ( Armored Cruiser No . 13 ) ; commander of the Atlantic Torpedo Fleet ; Inspector of Ordnance in Charge at the Naval Torpedo Station ; commanding officer of the cruiser " Cleveland " and later of battleship " Oregon " , before he assumed command of " Pueblo " , ( Armored Cruiser No . 7 ) on 29 April 1917 . Awarded the Navy Cross . Williams — by that time a captain — was awarded the Navy Cross for " distinguished service in the line of his profession " while commanding " Pueblo " during World War I , as the armored cruiser engaged in the " important , exacting , and hazardous duty of transporting and escorting troops and supplies to European ports through waters infested with enemy submarines and mines . " Commanding the USS " New Mexico " . Detached from " Pueblo " on 6 September 1918 , Williams participated in fitting out the new dreadnaught " Idaho " ( Battleship No . 42 ) and later served ashore in the Office of Naval Intelligence . He took the Naval War College course in 1919 and 1920 before commanding the new dreadnaught " New Mexico " ( BB - 40 ) from 31 May 1921 to 18 May 1922 . After detachment from " New Mexico " , Williams became the senior member of the Pacific Coast section of the Board of Inspection and Survey . Commandant of the 6th Naval District . Reaching flag rank on 29 September 1922 , Williams served as Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief , Atlantic Fleet , and later as the Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief , United States Fleet , when the former command was reorganized . Detached from this duty in the spring of 1923 , Williams subsequently served at Charleston , South Carolina , as the commandant of the 6th Naval District before breaking his two - star flag in " Concord " ( CL - 10 ) on 15 September 1924 as Commander , Destroyer Squadrons , Scouting Fleet . Final days . Rear Admiral Williams died on 18 July 1925 at the Naval Hospital , Charleston , South Carolina . Namesakes . During World War II , the destroyer escort USS " Williams " ( DE - 290 ) was named for Rear Admiral Williams . Her construction was cancelled in 1944 . In 1944 , the destroyer escort USS " Williams " ( DE - 372 ) was named in his honor . She was in commission from 1944 to 1946 .