Chevalier Edward L. Williams never wore the white and gold medal designating him a Knight of the Order of the Crown of Italy.

Edward Williams was born November 2, 1892, to Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Williams, Sr. The elder Williams was an Englishman who had married a Tennessee belle by the name of Elizabeth Polk; the couple later moved to Chicago, Illinois, where their sons were born. Information regarding Edward's siblings, education and formative years has not been located.

When the US entered World War I, Edward Williams was given a commission as a lieutenant in the US Army Air Service and assigned to their field at Hazelhurst, New Jersey. He was one of six American officers chosen to receive instruction in the use of a Caprini biplane, an Italian aircraft used by Americans during the war. Williams and his instructor, Captain Silvio Resnati, became close friends. Ten days before Lt. Williams was scheduled to make his solo flight in the biplane he watched in shock as Captain Resnati crashed and burned in a similar craft.

Williams became proficient with the Caprini aircraft during the war and was promoted to Captain. According to a Santa Cruz Evening News article of January 21, 1921, he was an
”outstanding figure in the world war. He became so proficient in the handling of the famous Caprini planes, an Italian machine, that the Italian government made strong representation to the United States government to send him to Italy. His services were more valuable here however, and he did much in making aviators out of flying recruits for Uncle Sam.”

Captain Williams visited family and friends living in Santa Cruz prior to reporting for duty with the 7th Aero Squadron at the Panama Canal. While serving in the Canal Zone, Captain Edward L. Williams Jr. contracted spinal meningitis and died on March 28, 1919.

In 1921 the Italian government posthumously designated Williams as a Knight of the Order of the Crown of Italy, its highest military honor, which gave him the title of Chevalier The remains of Edward Williams were later sent to Santa Cruz and reinterred in the Santa Cruz Memorial Park.

(CAG; Santa Cruz County Burial Permits 1905-1938, Genealogical Society of Santa Cruz Cnty, 2001; SCSf May 29, 1918 3:8; SCEN January 21, 1921 5:4)