World War II Honoree

Foy Wallace Watson, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Waco, Texas

Honored By

John C. Burkhardt, SVC MOPH, Chapter 1919, Austin, Texas

ENLISTED IN THE NAVY ON AUGUST 2, 1944 AND ENTERED ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE ON AUGUST 19, 1944. HE WENT THROUGH BASIC TRAINING AT UNITED STATES NAVAL TRAINING CENTER, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA AND TRAINING AND DISTRIBUTION CENTER, CAMP ELLIOT, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. AFTER TRAINING HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE USS TUSCALOOSA CA-37. JANUARY 21, 1944, HE RECEIVED A SEVERE HEARING LOSS WHILE HIS SHIP WAS INVOLVED IN THE HEAVY SHELLING OF OKINAWA, JAPAN, BEFORE THE TROOPS WERE SENT ASHORE. AFTER HIS INJURY HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE UNITED STATES NAVAL HOSPITAL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA AND LATER TO THE UNITED STATES NAVAL HOSPITAL, SAN LEANDRO, CALIFORNIA. ON MARCH 26, 1946, HE RECEIVED AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM THE NAVY. HE RECEIVED A PURPLE HEART MEDAL FOR THE INJURY HE RECEIVED, WHILE IN COMBAT, ON JANUARY 21, 1944.