World War II Honoree

Ben Tillman Watson, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Wallace, North Carolina

Honored By

Ben Tillman Watson, Jr.

WAS SERVING ABOARD USS HORNET CV-8 FROM OCTOBER 20, 1941 UNTIL OCTOBER 26, 1942 WHEN SHE WAS SUNK IN THE BATTLE OF SANTA CRUZ. THEN WAS SENT TO SOLOMON ISLANDS TO BECOME RADIO OPERATOR AT VARIOUS RADIO STATIONS IN THAT AREA (14 MONTHS). AFTER RECEIVING SURVIVOR LEASE WAS ASSIGNED TO SECOND JOINT ASSAULT SIGNAL COMPANY ASSIGNED TO THE SECOND MARINE DIVISION IN PACIFIC (1944). LATE 1944 WAS ASSIGNED TO THE AMPHIBIOUS TRAINING CENTER AT WAIPIO POINT, OAHU UNTIL WORLD WAR II ENDED.