Wilson D Watson
| Wilson D. Watson | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 16, 1922 Tuscumbia, Alabama |
| Died | December 19, 1994 Russellville, Arkansas |
| Status | Survived |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps Reserve |
| Years of service | 1942–1946 (Marine Corps); later United States Army to 1966 |
| Rank | Private |
| Service number | |
| Unit | Company G, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division |
| Commands held | |
| Battles / wars | Battle of Iwo Jima |
| Awards | Medal of Honor, Purple Heart |
| Relations | |
| Later work | Later served in the U.S. Army, retiring in 1966 |
Wilson Douglas Watson (February 16, 1922 – December 19, 1994) was a United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest decoration for valor, for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Born in Tuscumbia, Alabama, Watson enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942 and served as an automatic rifleman with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division.
Medal of Honor
[edit]On February 26–27, 1945, Watson stormed enemy pillboxes and, standing exposed atop a hill, held the position under savage fire for about 15 minutes while covering his platoon's advance. Wounded during the war, he survived and received his medal from President Truman in October 1945. He later served in the U.S. Army, retiring in 1966.
Citation
[edit]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 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 automatic rifleman 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 fifteen minutes, killing sixty Japanese before his ammunition was exhausted and his platoon was able to join him. His courageous initiative and valiant fighting spirit against devastating odds were directly responsible for the continued advance of his platoon and his inspiring leadership throughout this bitterly fought action reflects the highest credit upon Private Watson and the United States Naval Service.