Pat McCamy Williams was born on January 4, 1921, in Polk County, Tennessee. He was the son of Casimir Pulaski "C.P." Williams and Annie George McCamy Williams. He studied at Powell Valley High School and Lincoln Memorial University. He joined the US Army, transferred from the Cavalry to the U.S. Army Air Corps in September 1941. Arriving at the 63 Fighter Squadron of the 56 Fighter Group, he would fly with one of the most famous units of the U.S. Air Force, which later became known as ‘Zemke’s Wolfpack,’ named after its Commander Hubert Zemke.

In January 1943, the 63rd Fighter Squadron sailed from Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, to Scotland and was stationed at King’s Cliffe, but poor facilities and illness grounded most pilots until they moved to Horsham St. Faith in April. Pat Williams flew several early missions, though mechanical issues and bad luck prevented combat success, his guns jammed, and engine or oxygen problems forced early returns. German fighter units often avoided engagement unless bombers were present, limiting encounters. Throughout May, Williams participated in multiple “Rodeo” fighter sweeps over occupied Europe, with little contact. On May 31, during Rodeo 34, the squadron departed again on another operational mission, continuing their escort and patrol duties over enemy territory.

During a fighter sweep over Belgium, the 63rd Fighter Squadron, led by Colonel Zemke, turned west over Kortrijk when 1st Lt. Pat Williams suddenly went into a steep dive, likely due to oxygen failure at high altitude. Despite radio calls urging him to pull out, his P-47 crashed near Moorsele at noon on May 31, 1943, killing him instantly. He was buried with military honors by Flemish NSKK troops on June 2, but German authorities withheld his identity from locals, leaving his family unaware of his death until August. After the war, his remains were reinterred at Epinal American Cemetery in France. Williams became the first in his squadron to receive the Air Medal and was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for his sacrifice.

Sources of information:
- The Howard Williams family archive
- Dr. Earl Hess, Della Bruens, Peter Kilduff
- Hubert Zemke , Ed Whitley, Donavon Smith
- Gerhard Schöpfel, Otto Stammberger
- Wevelgem City Archive
- Historical Research Center, Maxwell AF Base, Alabama
- Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, Tennessee
- Roger Freeman “Zemke’s Wolfpack”, 1989 Orion books, New
york.
- David R. McLaren “Beware the Thunderbolt!”, 1994
SchifferPub. Ltd, Atglen, PA.