World War II Honoree

Eugene C. Watkins

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Lafayette, Indiana

Honored By

Marie Watkins

Relationship

Wife

UPON ENLISTMENT ON JUNE 7, 1942, GENE WATKINS VOLUNTEERED FOR SUBMARINE SERVICE. AFTER TRAINING AT GREAT LAKES AND NEW LONDON, HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE USS BONEFISH SS-223 AND WENT THROUGH THE PANAMA CANAL TO AUSTRALIA. HE MADE ONE PATROL AND JOINED THE RELIEF CREWS AT PERTH AND LATER THE USS REDFIN SS-272 MAKING FOUR PATROLS. HE RETURNED TO THE U.S. ON A SUBMARINE TENDER AND WAS DISCHARGED AS A MOTOR MACHINIST'S MATE 1ST CLASS ON NOVEMBER 27, 1945.