World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Emory Olin 'Buddy' Watson, Sr.
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Conway, South Carolina
Honored By
Robert S. Cox
SERVED WITH THE ARMY RANGERS IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER. PARTICIPATED IN THE RANGER ASSAULT AT CISTERNA NEAR THE ANZIO BEACHHEAD IN ITALY IN JANUARY, 1944. OF THE 767 MEN WHO BEGAN THE OPERATION, ONLY 6 MADE IT BACK TO FRIENDLY LINES. EVERYONE ELSE WAS EITHER KILLED BY ENEMY ACTION OR FRATRICIDE OR CAPTURED. HE WAS AMONG THOSE TAKEN AS A PRISONER OF WAR (POW) AND SPENT THE NEXT 16 MONTHS IN A POW CAMP IN GERMANY. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AFTER THE WAR AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON. AWARDED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, PURPLE HEART FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION, PRISONER OF WAR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.