December 11, 2004 USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) is commissioned at the Naval Station Charleston, S.C. The ship honors the Boatswain's Mate 1st Class James E. Williams, one of the Navy's most highly decorated enlisted Sailors, having been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery and leadership in 1966 while serving as patrol boat captain and patrol commander or River Patrol Boat (PBR) 105 on the Mekong River, Republic of Vietnam.

November 17, 2005 The guided-missile destroyer is currently underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting routine operations, with the USS Wasp (LHD 1) ESG, in preparation for the upcoming deployment later next year.

May 2, 2006 DDG 95 departed homeport for its maiden deployment as part of the Global War on Terrorism Surface Strike Group (GWOT SSG) 06-2.

October 17, USS James E. Williams, commanded by Cmdr. Ian Hall, returned to Naval Station Norfolk after completing a five-and-a-half month underway period. The ship was part of the Maritime Security Operations Surge 06-2, working specifically in anti-piracy and maritime interception operations off the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Aden.

July 9, 2007 USS James E. Williams departed Norfolk for a scheduled deployment, with the USS Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, in support of the global war on terrorism.

October 30, DDG 95 provided the medical assistance to North Korean cargo vessel Dai Hong Dan, off the coast of Somalia, after fighting with the pirates who had taken over their ship sometime Monday. Three seriously injured crew members have been transferred to the Williams for treatment. Initial reports from the crew are that five pirates were captured and two are dead. The pirates remain aboard the Dai Hong Dan.

December 19, USS James E. Williams returned to homeport after a five-month underway period.

April 20, 2009 USS James E. Williams, commanded by Cmdr. Paul Marquis, departed Norfolk Naval Station for a scheduled deployment.

June 7, The guided-missile destroyer is currently in the Red Sea conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO).

October 1, DDG 95 departed Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, after a routine port visit.

October 19, USS James E. Williams returned to Norfolk after a six-month deployment in the 5th and 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AoR).

December 4, Commanding Officer Cmdr. Paul Marquis and Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Timothy Youell were relieved of command today after numerous cases of fraternization among the crew and allegations of sexual assault. Both were reassigned to administrative duty by Capt. Robert C. Barwis, the commander of Destroyer Squadron 26. The actions come in the wake of nine fraternization cases between senior and junior enlisted personnel on the USS James E. Williams in November. Cmdr. Anthony J. Linardi is the new CO.

May 26, 2010 The James E. Williams arrived in New York City to participate in the 23rd Fleet Week.

April 10, 2011 DDG 95 is currently off the East Coast participating in training exercise with the Bataan (LHD 5) ARG.

June 27, USS James E. Williams, commanded by Cmdr. Christopher M. Senenko, along with HMS Dauntless (D33), FS Ventose (F733) and RFS Admiral Chabanenko, departed Naval Station Norfolk to participate in the at-sea phase of multinational exercise FRUKUS 2011, off the coast of Virginia.

December 15, The guided-missile destroyer returned to homeport after a 10-day underway period.

January 11, 2012 USS James E. Williams departed Norfolk for Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) and Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX).

March 12, USS James E. Williams departed Norfolk for a scheduled deployment with the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Carrier Strike Group (CSG).

March 26, The James E. Williams pulled into Civitavecchia, Italy, for a three-day port call.

April 18, DDG 95 recently arrived in Manama, Bahrain, for a scheduled port visit.