Over one hundred people from across the country assembled in Green Hill Cemetery on Sunday afternoon to honor the World War I Marine Corps officer who famously said the words, “Retreat, hell! We just got here!” The event honored Clarke County native Captain Lloyd W. Williams, who uttered this line when a French officer ordered him to withdraw his company of Marines during the Battle of Belleau Wood. Captain Williams was killed in the ensuing battle. It would later become a rallying call to generations of Marines.
The purpose of the ceremony was to unveil a Marine Corps emblem that was added to the cross marking Captain Williams' grave and to rededicate the grave site of a fallen hero. The keynote speaker was Lieutenant General Stephen Olmstead, USMC (Retired). Several of Williams' descendants participated in the ceremony including his three grandchildren.
Attending the commemoration were active soldiers, veterans, World War I Marine re-enactors, and a Marine Corps Color Guard. Organizations there to help honor him included American Legion Post 41 in Berryville, which is named for Williams, the Marine Corps League and the Winchester Korean War Veterans Association. The event was organized by Marine Corps League Detachment #890 of Winchester.
