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Photo # NH 103912:  Private Wilson D. Watson, USMCR

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Private Wilson D. Watson, USMCR, (1921-1994)

Wilson Douglas Watson was born on 18 February 1921 in Tuscumbia, Arkansas. He worked on his father's farm before enlisting in the Marine Corps Reserve in August 1942. After recruit training at San Diego, California he fought at Bougainville in November 1943 and on Guam in the Summer of 1944.

During the deadly February-March 1945 battle for Iwo Jima, Watson was an automatic rifleman with the Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division. On 26 and 27 February 1945, when his squad was twice halted by intense Japanese fire, Watson courageously and single-handedly destroyed a hostile pillbox and later charged uphill against enemy defenses. During the latter action, while fully exposed to Japanese fire, he used his Browning Automatic Rifle to kill sixty of the enemy, thus enabling his platoon to reach his position. On 2 March, Private Watson was seriously wounded and evacuated from Iwo Jima. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life," during the 26-27 February engagements, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Watson was presented the Medal by President Harry S. Truman during White House ceremonies on 5 October 1945. In the Fall of 1946, after discharge from the Marines, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and ultimately attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Wilson D. Watson died on 19 December 1994 and is buried at Russell Cemetery, Ozone, Arkansas.

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Photo #: NH 103912

Private Wilson D. Watson, USMCR


Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 278.
Wilson D. Watson received the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life" on 26-27 February 1945, during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 64KB; 630 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Private Wilson Douglas Watson, USMCR (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 278):

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Automatic Rifleman serving with the Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, during action against the enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 26 and 27 February 1945. With his squad abruptly halted by intense fire from enemy fortifications in the high rocky ridges and crags commanding the line of advance, Private Watson boldly rushed one pillbox and fired into the embrasure with his weapon, keeping the enemy pinned down single-handedly until he was in a position to hurl in a grenade, and then running to the rear of the emplacement to destroy the retreating Japanese and enable his platoon to take its objective. Again pinned down at the foot of a small hill, he dauntlessly scaled the jagged incline under fierce mortar and machine-gun barrages and, with his assistant BAR man, charged the crest of the hill, firing from his hip. Fighting furiously against Japanese troops attacking with grenades and knee mortars from the reverse slope, he stood fearlessly erect in his exposed position to cover the hostile entrenchments and held the hill under savage fire for 15 minutes, killing 60 Japanese before his ammunition was exhausted and his platoon was able to join him. His courageous initiative and valiant fighting spirit against devasting odds were directly responsible for the continued advance of his platoon, and his inspiring leadership throughout this bitterly fought action reflects the hightest credit upon Private Watson and the United States Naval Service."


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Page made 19 July 2006