U.S. Army Master Sgt. Olen Berry Williams was born on March 20, 1913, in Autauga County. Williams was declared Missing in Action (MIA) on Dec. 12, 1950, during the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. He did not return as a prisoner of war nor were his remains recovered at War’s end; therefore, he was declared Killed in Action (KIA) on Dec. 31, 1953.

Williams was the son of Louis B. and Elizabeth Williams of Chilton County and the brother of several siblings who have all passed: Alonzo, Lavada (Bowles), Lorenza, Leona (Headley), Leroy, Lynn, John, Alexander, Alice (Chavers), Allen, Estella (Cawthon), Louella (Taylor), Owen, Robert, and one nameless sister who passed shortly after birth.