caption serviceyears branch commands death_date death_place birth_place allegiance awards battles birth_date placeofburial rank image article_title name
williams as commander of the fourth united states army 1916 -- 1960 25px united states army 378th xvi corps ix corps fourth united states army military assistance infantry and advisory group , vietnam regiment 26th infantry regiment 25th infantry division april 26 , 1984 july 25 , 1896 san antonio , texas denton , texas united states distinguished of merit purple heart soldiers medal bronze star service cross distinguished service medal silver star legion villa war vietnam war expedition world war i world war ii korean august 25 , 1897 fort sam houston national cemetery 30px lieutenant general samuel tankersley william.jpg samuel tankersley williams
 samuel tankersley williams
samuel tankersley williams

samuel tankersley williams -lrb- august 25 , 1897 -- april 26 , 1984 -rrb- was a united states army lieutenant general .
williams became prominent in army history for being reduced in rank from brigadier general to colonel , and then resuscitating his career to again advance to general officer rank .
he also commanded the 25th infantry division during the korean war and served as commander of military assistance and advisory group -- vietnam , the predecessor to military assistance command -- vietnam .
