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George Watson was a private in the United States Army 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.

George Watson was a resident of Birmingham, Alabama. He attended Colorado A&M (now known as Colorado State University) and graduated in 1942.  He entered the Army on September 1, 1942, and was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 29th Quartermaster Regiment.






















The U.S. Army Transport Jacob approached Porloch Harbor, New Guinea, carrying members of the 2d Battalion, 29th Quartermaster Regiment. When suddenly and without warning they came under attack by Japanese bombers. The Jacob took two direct hits, pitched forward and began to capsize, as all onboard were ordered to abandon ship.



















When the ship was abandoned,  Private George Watson, a Quarter Master laundry and bath specialist, being a good swimmer, declined a life preserver. He immediately jumped into the water instead and began rescuing his injured comrades, and pulled to safety several who could not swim or were too paralyzed with fear to even try. Back and forth he went dragging his fellow soldiers to waiting rafts until, completely exhausted, he was pulled down by the tow of the sinking ship, and drowned.

For this action, Watson was originally awarded the Army's second-highest decoration, the Distinguished Service Cross. He was the first African American to receive the Distinguished Service Cross in World War II.  The award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor in 1997.

At a crowded White House ceremony on 13 January 1997, President William J. Clinton bestowed the Medal of Honor on seven black American veterans of World War II. Only one of the recipients was still alive to receive his award in person. The others had died during the war or in the decades since, and were represented by next of kin. Private Watson's Medal of Honor resides in the U.S. Army Quartermaster Museum at Fort Lee, Virginia.


























Awards and Honors

Watson's military awards include the Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.

Several places and structures have been named in Watson's honor.





















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.


Memorials

George Watson is remembered on a memorial at the Manila American Cemetery, a Memorial in the Philippines and by George Watson Memorial Field at Fort Benning, Georgia.


Medal of Honor Citation





















Citation:

For extraordinary heroism in action on 8 March 1943. Private Watson was on board a ship which was attacked and hit by enemy bombers. When the ship was abandoned, Private Watson, instead of seeking to save himself, remained in the water assisting several soldiers who could not swim to reach the safety of the raft. This heroic action, which subsequently cost him his life, resulted in the saving of several of his comrades. Weakened by his exertions, he was dragged down by the suction of the sinking ship and was drowned.

Private Watson's extraordinarily valorous actions, daring leadership, and self-sacrificing devotion to his fellow-man exemplify the finest traditions of military service.





















Private George Watson Display at the Quartermaster Museum.

Private George Watson had no known next of kin, so his medals are displayed in the United.States Army Quartermaster Museum in Fort Lee, Virginia.