World War II Honoree

Roy Watkin

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Honored By

Lawrence L. Schuermann

Relationship

Friend of Family

JOINED THE ARMY ON 21 JUNE 1940. ATTENDED BASIC TRAINING AND PARTICIPATED IN THE LOUISIANA AND CAROLINA MANEUVERS. VOLUNTEERED FOR OVERSEAS DUTY AND ENDED UP IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS WITH THE AMERICAN PHILIPPINE ARMY, 31ST INFANTRY REGIMENT. ON 7 DECEMBER 1941, THE DIVISION WAS ON SECURITY MISSIONS AT MANILA, FORT MCKINLEY AND BATAAN. AFTER PEARL HARBOR, THE JAPANESE BOMBED THE PHILIPPINES. THE DIVISION WAS ASSIGNED AS THE 'BATAAN DEFENSE FORCE' AS ALL AMERICAN AND PHILIPPINE FORCES RETREATED INTO THE BATAAN PENINSULA. THE 31ST INFANTRY REGIMENT GUARDED THE RETREAT OF ALLIED FORCES ON ZIG ZAG PASS NEAR SUBIC BAY AND OLONGAPO CITY BY 5 JANUARY 1942. HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON 24 JANUARY 1942 IN DEFENSE OF THE BATAAN PENINSULA. AWARDS INCLUDE: BRONZE STAR MEDAL WITH V, PURPLE HEART MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL WITH 1 STAR, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 STAR, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, PHILIPPINE DEFENSE MEDAL, PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE AND AN ADDITIONAL BRONZE STAR MEDAL THROUGH POST-WAR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION. PARTICIPATED IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS CAMPAIGN.