By Mary Miller
 Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service.  On the Wall of Honor in Veterans’ Square located at the City-County Complex are the names of men and women of Dillon County who perished in America’s wars.  Our military losses were particularly heavy in World War II, and the following is the story of one who did not come home.
Eli Wishart Williamson was born on July 27, 1922, in Lumberton, NC, but lived most of his life in Dillon with his father and mother, James and Della Williamson, and brother Jimmy Jr.  Mr. Williamson was the operator of Anderson’s Dillon Theatre where Eli later worked as an usher.  His mother passed away before Eli finished school.  Their home was located at 206 E. Harrison Street where the parking lot of First Presbyterian Church is now.
Growing up in Dillon, Eli was the typical young man.  He attended Dillon High where he played baseball and football and was actively involved in other school activities.  In a photo of the 1938 baseball team, Eli is shown sitting beside his good friend Ken McCutcheon.  Another friend, F. E. Hobeika, described Eli as very personable and one who made friends easily.  He recalled that Eli’s easy-going attitude and good character made him popular with his fellow students.
A temporary illness sidelined his plans to attend college after his graduation in 1941.  When he recovered, Eli, as many young men of that day, decided to join the war effort.  His records indicate that he enlisted in the Air Corps on March 26, 1942 at Fort Jackson, SC.  He trained at several facilities including Panama City, Florida, where he led the entire class in marksmanship on the rifle range.  Eli was soon promoted to Staff Sergeant and was ultimately stationed in Hawaii.  Before going into active duty, Eli had the opportunity to come home for a two-day visit with his family in February 1943.  Two months later his father received a telegram that Eli had been “killed in action in service to his country.”
Eli was an aerial gunner and engineer on a B-24 Liberator bomber in the 371st Bomber Squadron, 307th Bomber Group.
 On that fateful morning in April, however, he was on the ground at an airstrip the U.S. had recently built in the Ellice Islands.  Regarding the incident in which he died, N.D. Communique #353 for 22 April (1943) stated:  “During the early morning, a group of enemy bombers raided Funafuti, U.S. occupied position in the Ellice Island Group.  Light casualties to personnel were suffered and minor damage was inflicted.”  Another report, Declassified “Secret” documents of the 307 Bomber Group, had the following information:  “Our first battle casualties, and only ones sustained on the ground due to enemy action, were suffered on 22 April (1943) at Funafuti.  The Japs bombed this tiny island for three hours in the early morning, killing S/Sgt. Eli W. Williamson” and four other military personnel.
Eli was only 20 years old.  This young man lost his life half a world away on a South Pacific island with the unlikely name of Funafuti before he ever got to vote.  Although no documentation was found, we can be certain that Eli was fighting to protect that airstrip.  He was buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii.
A memorial service was held at the Presbyterian Church in Dillon with other denominations taking part.  The Dillon Herald said of the service, “While the church was filled to capacity, the very air was pervaded by profound, silent devotion in the memory of this boy.”
On November 27, 1943, the Air Medal presented to Eli posthumously, was received by his father in a somber ceremony held at the Dillon Armory.  Eli was also the recipient of the Purple Heart Medal.
 As further honor to Staff Sergeant Williamson, the Dillon Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6091 named their post “Eli W. Williamson VFW.”  His portrait hangs in a place of prominence in their building as a reminder of the courageous young man who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.
The men and women of World War II have rightly been called The Greatest Generation.  Many eagerly enlisted, fought bravely, others were wounded or endured the atrocities of capture and prison camp,  and so many died.  When it was finally over, those who did come home returned to a grateful America.
 As Memorial Day approaches, be sure to buy a poppy and wear it proudly.  Fly the American flag, and remember those men and women who fought for your freedom.  Hug a veteran or visit the gravesite of a veteran to say thank you.  It is true, there would be no land of the free if not for the brave.
 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  John 15:13”
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I would like to thank the following for their contribution to this article:  Accounts of Military personnel from articles of The Dillon Herald, 1943; Helen Moody, Genealogist; VFW Post Commander Mallory Scott; Dillon County Veterans Affairs Office; and various military websites used for research.