About Meyer's Hanging Sam

Hanging Sam chronicles the life of Lt. General Samuel T. “Hanging Sam” Williams, who, after being relieved of his duties as Assistant Division Commander of the 90th Infantry Division and demoted from the rank of brigadier general following the 1944 Normandy invasion, persevered to recover not only his lost star but two additional ones as well, an accomplishment unmatched in modern U. S. Army history.

Following enlistment in the Texas Militia in 1916 to fight Pancho Villa along the U.S.-Mexican border, Williams served in both World Wars, the Korean War (where he commanded the 25th Infantry Division), and Vietnam (where from 1955 to 1960 he was Chief of the U. S. Military Assistance and Advisory Group). Wounded twice in battle, Williams was decorated with every medal for valor the Army awards, except the Medal of Honor.

“If you are a student of methods of leadership,… If you want to know how hard work, steel strong determination, and plain guts brought a ‘busted’ general officer back to a rank two grades higher one war later, you should read this book.” —Armor

“…the bittersweet story of a general who… fought his way back to the highest plains the army had to offer.” —World War II

“…an accurate, detailed, and highly interesting picture of… a top-notch field soldier.” —Infantry