PFC Dewayne T. Williams (T-AK-3009)
1985–
Medal of Honor recipient from Vietnam War, Dewayne Thomas Williams, USMC (18 September 1949-18 September 1968).
(T-AK-3009; displacement 19,588 (light), 44,330 (full); length 675’; beam 106’; speed 18 knots; complement 38 civilians, 10 technicians; class 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo).
The first PFC Dewayne T. Williams was built by General Dynamics Quincy Shipbuilding Division at Quincy, Mass.; completed in 1985; acquired by the Navy under a long-term charter from 6 June 1985.
On 17 August 2009, PFC Dewayne T. Williams, along with Harpers Ferry (LSD-49), Crommelin (FFG-37), and Military Sealift Command-manned Safeguard (T-ARS-50) participated in Exercise Southeast Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism 2009.
On 16 February 2010, as part of Operation Unified Response, the effort to provided disaster relief and humanitarian assistance to the victims on the 7.0 earthquake that hit Haiti on 10 January, PFC Dewayne T. Williams was anchored off Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and serving as a joint logistics over-the-shore support ship, providing fuel to the improved Navy lighterage systems operating in the area.
On 2 August 2015 Typhoon Soudelor, a Category 2 storm, devastated the island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands. A working party from PFC Dewayne T. Williams deployed ashore to help the Brilliant Star Montessori School. Fourteen crew members, including the ship's captain, repaired the electrical conduit connections on two buildings where fallen trees had broken the conduit support and wire connections. They also assisted in repairing the potable water connections to three buildings. The school was able to open its doors on 19 August.
Detailed history under construction.
Christopher B. Havern Sr.
8 December 2015
