World War II Honoree

Edwin H. Watkinson, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Trenton, New Jersey

Honored By

A Grateful American

SERVED IN ARMY COUNTERINTELLIGENCE CORPS, AND AFTER ATTENDING SPECIAL INTELLIGENCE SCHOOLS IN BALTIMORE AND VIRGINIA, AS WELL AS CLASSES AT THE NEW YORK FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION SCHOOL, HE SERVED AS A SPECIAL AGENT IN AFRICA AND ITALY IN ITALY. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE FIFTH ARMY 305TH DETACHMENT WHERE HIS DUTIES INVOLVE PROVIDING SECURITY FOR ARMY TROOPS SPECIFICALLY PERTAINING TO ESPIONAGE AND SABOTAGE IN THREE BATTLE CAMPAIGNS. UNIT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ACTIVITIES ON THE NOTORIOUS 'SPY HIGHWAY' IN ITALY WHERE OVER 500 SPIES WERE APPREHENDED. HIS FINAL ASSIGNMENT WAS A SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE OF A GROUP ASSIGNED TO COVER ACTIVITIES ON THE ITALIAN AUSTRIAN BORDER.