Return to Naval Historical
Center home page.
Return to Online
Library Listing
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --
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.
This page features the only image we have concerning Wilson
D. Watson.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
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." |
Return to Naval
Historical Center home page.
Page made 19 July 2006