World War II Honoree

Billy L. Watson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Oklahoma

Honored By

Rhoda Friesen

Relationship

Sister

ENLISTED 11TH OF JANUARY 1941, AT OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA. HE TRAINED AT FORT SILL, OKLAHOMA AND TRANSFERRED TO BATTERY A, 464TH PARACHUTE FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION. PARATROOP TRAINING WAS AT FT. BENNING, GEORGIA. HIS MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY WAS #014 AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC, SECOND ECHELON. HE QUALIFIED FOR EXPERT CARBINE ON 2 MARCH 1944. HE LEFT FOR OVERSEAS DUTY 26TH OF JANUARY 1945. HE WAS STATIONED IN FRANCE WHILE OVERSEAS ON VARIOUS PARATROOP MISSIONS AS SO ORDERED BY THE 464TH BATTALION. HE WAS TRANSFERRED AGAIN TO THE 458TH PARACHUTE FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION IN RHIEMS, FRANCE AND ATTACHED TO HEADQUARTERS. HIS SERVICE MEDALS WERE: GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN EAST MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE MEDAL, AMERICAN THEATER MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND ONE BRONZE SERVICE STAR. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED 4TH OF NOVEMBER, 1945 AT CAMP CHAFFEE, ARKANSAS, AFTER SERVING FOR 4 YEARS 9 MONTHS AND 24 DAYS.