By William "Bennett" White, Spring 2023 

Herman Barron Williams was born in 1891 and served in Company C of the 351st Machine Gun Battalion in World War I. He embarked for France on the Orizaba on June 10, 1918. His battalion was a part of the 92nd Division, which comprised the first contingent of African American draftees. The 92nd trained at Bourbonne-les-Bains before relieving American and French units in the St. Die Sector. The 92nd repelled a German assault on Frapelle and Ormont in August and early September 1918. The 92nd also edured heavy bombardments while repairing trenches in and around Hermanpere, La Fontanelle, La Raniese, Vanifosse, Ban de Sapt, Denipaire, Robedeau, Coichots, Ravines, Germanfaing, and Moyenmoutier. Williams became a Grocer and laborer living in the Tanner's Creek area of Norfolk until his death from emphysema in 1934.

Sources:

Full Name: Herman Barron Williams

Also Known as: Hermon B. Williams; Herman Banon Williams;

Birth Date: March 31, 1891

Birthplace:

Parents: Luther C. Williams, Rosa L. Williams

Ethnicity:

Race: African American

Spouse: Elizabeth Williams

Children: Luther F. Williams, Leroy Williams

Marriage Date:

Marriage Place:

Death Date: July 1, 1934

Death Place: 614 Brewster Street, Norfolk, VA

Burial Date: July 3, 1934

Burial Place: West Point Cemetery, Norfolk, VA

Major Keywords/Search Terms:

Hermon Banon Williams | World War I | 92nd Division | Norfolk, VA | Tanner’s Creek |

Sources:

1. Primary Sources:

1. 1. Books and Pamphlets:

Scott, Emmett Jay, Scott’s Official History of the American Negro in the World War, 1919, University of California Libraries, Internet Archive, Scott's official history of the American Negro in the world war : Scott, Emmett J. (Emmett Jay), 1873-1957 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive, Chapter 11.

City Directories:

1. 2. Documents/Collections:

• Virginia Department of Health; Richmond, Virginia; Virginia Deaths, 1912-2014

• United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm.

• The National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland; Record Group Title: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774-1985; Record Group Number: 92; Roll or Box Number: 519

• United States, Census Bureau.  1910 US Federal Census.  Census Place: Norfolk Ward 3, Norfolk City, Virginia; Roll: 1735; Page: 5; Enumeration District: 0094 

• United States, Census Bureau.  1910 US Federal Census.   Year: 1910; Census Place: Norfolk Ward 2, Norfolk (Independent City), Virginia; Roll: T624_1637; Page: 12b; Enumeration District: 0029; FHL microfilm: 1375650 

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• United States, Census Bureau.  Year: 1920; Census Place: Tanners Creek, Norfolk, Virginia; Roll: T625_1900; Page: 20B; Enumeration District: 253

• Box 13, Folder 60 from Virginia War History Commission, Norfolk, Virginia Records, MSS 0000-182 

• Page 137 from List of Men and Women Who Were in the Service of the United States During the World War, 1920 - Norfolk, Virginia, in Box 18, Folder 5 from Virginia War History Commission, Norfolk, Virginia Records, MSS 0000-182 

1. 3. Maps/Plats/Surveys:

1. 4. Newspaper/Magazines/Journals:

1. 5. Photographs/Images:

1. 6. Projects:

1. 7. Sound and Video Recordings:

1. 8. Websites:

"Herman B. Williams" Findagrave.com - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/73494822/herman-b-williams 

1. Secondary Sources:

1. 1. Books and Pamphlets:

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1. 4. Newspaper/Magazines/Journals:

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1. 7. Sound and Video Recordings:

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