World War II Honoree

Carl E. Watson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Louisville, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1942 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. TRAINED AS A HEAVY MACHINE GUN SECTION LEADER. DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ENTERED COMBAT WITH COMPANY D, 101ST INFANTRY REGIMENT, 26TH INFANTRY DIVISION ON SEPTEMBER 7, 1944 AND FOUGHT THROUGH THE NORTHERN FRANCE AND INTO THE RHINELAND CAMPAIGNS. WOUNDED IN ACTION ON DECEMBER 2, 1944 NEAR ALTWEILER, FRANCE. SUBSEQUENTLY HOSPITALIZED AND RETURNED TO THE U.S. ON MARCH 20, 1945 FOR CONVALESCENCE. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A TECHNICAL SERGEANT WITH A CERTIFICATE OF DISABILITY ON MARCH 14, 1947 AT PERCY JONES GENERAL HOSPITAL, FORT CUSTER, MICHIGAN. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL.