World War II Honoree

John Drake Watson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Florence, South Carolina

Honored By

James O. Sweeny

Relationship

Classmate

2ND LIEUTENANT. WAS CALLED INTO ACTIVE DUTY WITH THE ARMY ON MARCH 5, 1942. HE REPORTED TO CAMP WHEELER, GEORGIA AND WAS ASSIGNED TO COMPANY D, 3RD INFANTRY TRAINING BATTALION. AFTER SIX MONTHS, DURING WHICH HE WAS PROMOTED TO 1ST LIEUTENANT, HE LEFT NEW ORLEANS IN NOVEMBER, 1942 BY TROOP SHIP BOUND FOR TRINIDAD, BRITISH WEST INDIES. HE WAS FIRST ASSIGNED AS PERSONNEL OFFICER WITH THE 301ST GENERAL DEPOT IN PORT OF SPAIN. IN APRIL, 1943 HE WAS MADE CAPTAIN AND IN FEBRUARY, 1944 BECAME COMPANY COMMANDER OF HEADQUARTERS AND SERVICE COMPANY AT FORT READ IN TRINIDAD, PERFORMING AIR BASE SECURITY. AT THE END OF OCTOBER,1944 HE RETURNED TO THE STATES, AND IN DECEMBER REPORTED TO CAMP ROBINSON, ARKANSAS FOR INFANTRY TRAINING DUTY. FROM FEBRUARY TO MAY, 1945 HE ATTENDED AN OFFICER’S REFRESHER COURSE AT FORT BENNING, AND IN AUGUST WAS ASSIGNED AS ASSISTANT TRAINING OFFICER OF THE 83RD INFANTRY REGIMENT. THIS ASSIGNMENT ENDED WHEN HE WAS RELEASED FROM ACTIVE DUTY AS A CAPTAIN ON MAY 4, 1946. IN NOVEMBER, 1946 HE WAS PROMOTED TO MAJOR IN THE RESERVES.