Soldier Honored: Brent "B-Dubs" Williams
Hometown: Norman, Oklahoma
Branch of Service: Air Force
Rank: Major
Air Force Major Williams, 37, was assigned to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana but was deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam in May 2008 in support of the Department of Defense's continuous bomber presence in the Pacific area of responsibility. There he served as the director of operations for the 36th Operations Support Squadron. He was killed when his B-52 Stratofortress crashed during a swing around the island as part of Guam Liberation Day celebrations, The B-52 had been scheduled to conduct a flyover in a parade.
When Brent was young, his father died of brain cancer and he became the man of the house. He graduated from Norman High School in Norman, Oklahoma and attended the University of Oklahoma earning a Bachelor Degree in Information System Management while enrolled in the ROTC program. Brent also held a Master of Science in Military Operations from American Military University and a Master of Science from Air University. He earned his Air Force commission in 1994 and in late 2000 he was selected for the Air Force Intern Program at the Pentagon where he began a prestigious one year program to develop the future leaders of the USAF. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster and the Air Force Achievement Medal.
Brent loved his country, his job and his career but he also stayed in the military to give a good life to his daughter age 13 and 11 year old son. He was a single dad who was very involved in his children's activities; even recording and putting to music his son's Little League games. Brent was caring, respected and admired; always ready to help anyone who needed it but he always put family above everything.