George Watson (U.S. Army)

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George Watson
died March 8, 1943
Place of death near Porloch Harbor, New Guinea
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch U.S. Army
Years of service 1942-1943
Rank Private
Unit 2nd Battalion, 29th Quartermaster Regiment
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Medal of Honor
Purple Heart

George Watson was a U.S. Army private who was killed in action during World War II. He was one of seven African-American soldiers to be awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during World War II, and the only one of the seven to earn his medal while serving in the Pacific Theater.

A resident of Birmingham, Alabama, He had entered the Army Sept. 1, 1942, and was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 29th Quartermaster Regiment. He was a passenger aboard the Dutch steamer (USAT) Jacob March 8, 1943, which was near Porloch 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.

Contents

[edit] Awards and honors

Watson's military awards include: Medal of Honor (as of 23 September 1996); Purple Heart; Army Good Conduct Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; and World War II Victory Medal.

  • George had no known next of kin so his medals are displayed in the U.S. Army Quartermaster Museum, Fort Lee, Virginia.
  • The new Jefferson County Courthouse being built outside Birmingham in Bessemer, Alabama will be named "The Private George Watson Courthouse"

[edit] See also

[edit] References

This article contains text in the public domain from the U.S. Army.

[edit] External links

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