Marine Fighter Squadron 214 was originally formed on July 1, 1942. They participated in the Solomon Islands campaign, flying out of Henderson Field on Guadalcanal Island. Called “the Black Sheep,” the Squadron’s achievements include 203 planes destroyed or damaged, nine fighter aces with 97 confirmed air-to-air kills, and numerous other victories. They were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism in action. The Squadron was disbanded and then reformed in January of 1944. On March 9, 1944 while stationed aboard the USS Franklin, members of the Squadron were killed during a Japanese bombing. That attack ended the Squadron’s involvement in World War II, though they later flew operations during the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the War on Terror.

Otto Keith Williams was born on December 10, 1918 in Tacoma, Washington. He grew up in Ellensburg, Washington and attended Central Washington College of Education. In 1941 he joined the Marines as an aviator. He completed two tours in the Pacific Theater, where he served with the "Black Sheep Squadron." He achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonol before his retirment from the military in 1951.

In 1948 he married Marnie Cooper. The two lived in Ellensburg, and they had two sons and one daughter. After his military service, Williams took over his uncle's business and began expanding the Pautzke Salmon Egg business (later known as Pautzke Bait Co.) selling salmon eggs for fishing bait. Williams' children took over the business and he retired in 1982.

Williams passed away on December 11, 2007.

Biographical note derived from donor information and online sources.