Williams, Francis W., 1906-1985

Before boarding his plane at the National Airport in Washington, President Harry S. Truman has a hearty handshake for Col. Henry Myers (left), his former pilot, and Lt. Col. Francis W. Williams (right) who was at the controls of the Sacred Cow for the first time with the President aboard when the Chief Executive took off for a two-week Caribbean and Florida vacation. Col. Myers, who went along as far as Key West, has been "breaking in" his successor. From: Papers of Francis W. Williams.

Standing by the stairs under the wing of The Independence, President Harry S. Truman converses with Col. Francis W. Williams, Pilot, prior to boarding. From: Francis W. Williams Papers.

Francis W. Williams, pilot of the presidential plane, The Independence, sitting in the cockpit.

Lt. Col. Francis W. Williams, an Air Force pilot with 10,500 hours flying time in the past 16 years, is President Trumans new pilot (in photo). He replaces Col. Henry T. (Hank) Myers, veteran airplane pilot who has flown Presidents and Cabinet Members all over the world and who is retiring to take a job as a civil airline pilot. From: Beth Gore.

Lt. Col. Francis W. Williams, who has been named new personal pilot for President Truman and members of the Cabinet. From: Beth Gore.