World War II Honoree

Philip Spigener Watson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Ridge Spring, South Carolina

Honored By

James O. Sweeny

Relationship

Classmate

HE ENTERED INTO ACTIVE DUTY WITH THE ARMY ON DECEMBER 10, 1940 AT FORT JACKSON, SOUTH CAROLINA. FOLLOWING TRAINING AT FORT JACKSON, HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 305TH REGIMENT, 77TH INFANTRY DIVISION. FURTHER TRAINING IN THE STATES INCLUDED PARTICIPATING IN THE LOUISIANA FIELD MANEUVERS IN 1942. THE DIVISION DEPARTED THE STATES AND LANDED IN HAWAII ON 1 JULY, 1944 WHERE IT UNDERWENT TRAINING IN AMPHIBIOUS AND JUNGLE WARFARE. IT LANDED ON GUAM ON JULY 21. ENEMY RESISTANCE ENDED ON AUGUST 8, 1944. HE WAS S3, COMPANY L, 3RD BATTALION, 305TH REGIMENT WHEN THE DIVISION LANDED ON LEYTE ON 23 NOVEMBER, 1944. FURTHER TRAINING AND COMBAT PATROL DUTY PRECEDED ITS LANDING AT IPIL AND SEIZURE OF ORMOC ON DECEMBER 10. HE PARTICIPATED IN THE RECAPTURE OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND WAS RETURNED TO THE STATES AND DISCHARGED FROM ACTIVE DUTY AS A CAPTAIN ON OCTOBER 30, 1945.