Navy Command Builds on Training Partnership During South Korean Visit

Nov. 9, 2026 | By Austen McClain, Naval Education and Training Command |

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Greg Huffman, commander of Naval Education and Training Command, met with South Korean navy leaders and delivered remarks aboard the ROKS Hansando during the ship's first port call at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, Oct. 27. 

During the visit, Huffman hosted an office call with Vice Adm. Kyu-Paek Park, Korea Naval Academy superintendent, and Rear Adm. Joon Yup Kim, Republic of Korea Navy Cruise Training Task Group commander. 

Huffman joined South Korean officers, crew members and embarked midshipmen for a reception aboard the Hansando, where he emphasized the role of allied partnerships in naval education and training. 

"Our mission is fundamentally about people — recruiting, training, educating and developing sailors to serve with competence, character and confidence," Huffman said. "This development is not confined to a classroom; it is a career-long journey that is immeasurably strengthened when we learn alongside trusted allies." 

The visit built on the long-standing partnership with South Korea's naval education and training command to prepare sailors and future naval officers. 

In September 2025, Vice Adm. Jeong Ho Kang, commander of the Republic of Korea Navy's education and training command, visited Pensacola and met with Huffman for a briefing on U.S. Navy training initiatives. Kang also toured the Center for Information Warfare Training, Naval Aviation Schools Command and Naval Air Technical Training Center. 

A year later, Huffman and Navy Force Master Chief Petty Officer Ben Hodges visited Jinhae, South Korea, where they met with Kang. The engagement included discussions on professional military education, force development and opportunities for continued cooperation. 

Aboard the Hansando, Huffman recalled the hospitality extended by Kang and his command, which celebrated its 80th anniversary this year. He connected that visit to the opportunity to welcome South Korean naval personnel to Pensacola. 

"We both share a deep commitment in preparing our fleets to contribute on Day 1, and to adapt and lead throughout their careers," he said. "To stand on this deck tonight, in our home waters of Pensacola, feels like a perfect continuation of the personal friendships and professional partnerships we reinforced in [South] Korea." 

The port visit also brought the Hansando's crew to Veterans Memorial Park Pensacola. In the spirit of unity and the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, South Korean sailors laid a wreath at the park's Korean War Memorial in remembrance and to honor those who served in the war. 

The Hansando's visit also helped U.S. service members build relationships with their South Korean counterparts.  

"The friendships formed during this voyage are among the most lasting and mutually beneficial investments our alliance can make," Huffman said.

Medal of Honor Monday: Marine Corps Lt. Col. Ernest Calvin Williams

Nov. 9, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

Marine Corps 1st Lt. Ernest Calvin Williams, an infantryman, received the Medal of Honor for valor in the Dominican Republic. 

Williams was born on Aug. 2, 1887, in Broadwell, Illinois, to Thomas Buchanan Williams, a farmer, and Annie Williams. He was the oldest of three children.  

He grew up in a close-knit rural farming community where hard work and self-reliance were integral to daily life. Williams attended rural schools in Lohan County, Illinois, where terms were scheduled around non-harvest periods, typical of rural farming communities at the time. 

Williams was 19 when he enlisted in the Marine Corps as a private, Jan. 5, 1907. He later attended officer training and was appointed second lieutenant Jan. 30, 1909. After his promotion, Williams received additional training at Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia, which was a central hub for preparing officers for leadership roles. Williams deployed to the Dominican Republic in 1916 while assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment. There, he was charged with securing a strategic position in the northern Cibao Valley and a fortress at San Francisco de Macoris, held by about 40 Dominican fighters who posed a significant threat to the Marines in the area. 

As a first lieutenant, Williams led a direct 12-Marine assault on the San Francisco de Macoris fortress gate amid heavy rifle fire, Nov. 29, 1916, the date of his Medal of Honor action. 

Eight of his men were wounded, but Williams pressed on with the four remaining Marines. He threw himself against the gate as it was closing and forced entry despite the threat of enemy fire.  

Narrowly escaping death at the hands of a Dominican rifleman, Williams and his men disposed of the prison guards and within a few minutes gained control of the fort and secured the approximately 100 prisoners confined there. No Marines were killed. 

In forwarding Williams' nomination for the Medal of Honor, Commandant of the Marine Corps Maj. Gen. George Barnett wrote: "It appears that by his conspicuous gallantry, initiative and excellent judgment he solved the problem which might have proved a serious one had the enemy been given time to organize and consolidate." 

Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels, acting on behalf of President Woodrow Wilson, approved the medal that was presented to Williams, April 27, 1917, after which he was promoted to captain. 

The following year, Williams was deployed to France, where he served as battalion commander for the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Division, American Expeditionary Forces. While in France, he was promoted to major, July 1, 1918. 

World War I battles participated in include: 

• Chateau-Thierry Campaign, July 15-18, 1918, to stop the German Spring Offensive, where he earned the Silver Citation Star, the third-highest award for valor. This award was converted to the Silver Star Medal under the approval of the then-Secretary of War Patrick J. Hurley, July 19, 1932. 
• Battle of Saint-Mihiel, Sept. 12-26, 1918, a successful offensive, where he earned a second Silver Citation Star. 
• Meuse-Argonne Offensive, Sept. 30-Nov. 11, 1918, where he earned his third Silver Citation Star. The offensive ended with the Nov. 11 armistice, while the Treaty of Versailles formally ended World War I, June 28, 1919. 
• Champagne/Blanc Mont Offensive, October 1918, where his actions resulted in Williams being awarded the Navy Cross Medal, the second-highest award for valor. 

Williams' Navy Cross citation states that "he led his battalion with bravery and skill, attaining all objectives on time, keeping his troops close to the barrage, through heavy machine-gun and artillery fire from the enemy. After reorganizing on the third objective, he pushed forward strong patrols for exploitation, securing and maintaining a strong line for the night and the two succeeding days." 

In early 1919, Williams returned to Marine Barracks, Quantico, where he led officer training. After 14 years of service, he medically retired March 17, 1921, at the rank of lieutenant colonel. He married Frieda Katherine von Essen, April 28, 1923, and in 1935 the couple took up residence in Seneca Falls, New York. 

Williams died July 31, 1940, at the age of 52. He was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Indianola, Illinois.