Matthew O. Williams

Matthew O. Williams (born October 3, 1981) is a sergeant major in the United States Army. He received the Medal of Honor from President Donald Trump on October 30, 2019 for his actions on April 6, 2008 as a member of Operational Detachment Alpha 3336, Special Operations Task Force 11, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan in the Battle of Shok Valley.
Early life.
Williams was born October 3, 1981, and spent most of his childhood in the small town of Boerne, Texas. He initially wanted to be a detective or work for the FBI when he grew up, so he obtained a bachelor's degree in criminal justice at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas. After 9/11, Williams started rethinking how he could serve his country. He researched Special Forces programs and, in September 2005, joined the United States Army.
Military career.
In 2007, two years after he had joined the army, Williams became a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (18B) with the 3rd Special Forces Group. Williams' first deployment was to Afghanistan and, on April 6, 2008, his unit was tasked to capture or kill high-value targets in the Shok Valley. The operation led to the events for which Williams was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Williams, Lieutenant Colonel William D. Swenson and Sergeant Major Thomas Payne are the only Medal of Honor recipients still on active duty. Williams was promoted to sergeant major during a ceremony at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on February 28, 2020.
Medal of Honor citation.
The President of the United States
In the Name of the Congress
Takes Pleasure in Presenting The Medal of Honor To
Sergeant Matthew O. Williams
United States Army
Personal life.
Williams lives in North Carolina, with his wife Kate and son Nolan.