World War II Honoree

Gordon C. Watkins

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Alice, Texas

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON MAY 8, 1942 AT FORT SAM HOUSTON, TEXAS. SELECTED FOR ARMORED INFANTRY DUTY, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF MEDIUM TANK CREWMAN (MOS 2736). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON MARCH 5, 1943 BOUND FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND FOUGHT WITH THE 4TH TANK BATTALION OF AN ARMORED INFANTRY REGIMENT, 1ST ‘OLD IRONSIDES’ ARMORED DIVISION, IN THE TUNISIAN, NAPLES-FOGGIA, ROME-ARNO, NORTHERN APENNINES, AND PO VALLEY CAMPAIGNS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A CORPORAL ON AUGUST 2, AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT SAM HOUSTON, TEXAS. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 5 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.