Education
A resident of Birmingham, Alabama, he attended Colorado Agricultural and Mechanical (now known as Colorado State University) and graduated in 1942.
A resident of Birmingham, Alabama, he attended Colorado Agricultural and Mechanical (now known as Colorado State University) and graduated in 1942.
He was one of seven African-American soldiers to receive the Medal of Honor for their actions during World World War II, and the only one of the seven to earn his medal while serving in the Pacific Theater. He was a passenger aboard the United States. Army controlled chartered Dutch steamer "s Jacob on March 8, 1943, which was near Porlock Harbor, New Guinea, when the ship was hit by Japanese bombers. When the ship was abandoned, Watson remained in the water and, instead of trying to save himself, assisted soldiers who could not swim into life rafts.
Weakened by his exertions, he was dragged down by the suction of the sinking ship and drowned.
His body was never recovered. He was the first African American to receive the Distinguished Service Cross in World World War World War II The award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor in 1997.
Watson"s military awards include the Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and World World War II Victory Meda Watson had no known next of kin, so his medals are displayed in the United States. Army Quartermaster Museum in Fort Lee, Virginia. Several places and structures have been named in Watson"s honor, including a field in Fort Benning, Georgia, and, in 1997, the United States Navy ship USNS Watson (T-AKR-310). The Watson is the lead ship of her class of large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off (LMSR) ships.
He entered the Army on September 1, 1942, and was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 29th Quartermaster Regiment.
