World War II Honoree

William H. Watson

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Naples, Texas

Honored By

American Legion Post 92 & Douglas M. Alford, USN

Relationship

Friend

HE ENLISTED IN THE NAVY IN SEPTEMBER 1942 AND RECEIVED HIS BASIC TRAINING AT THE NAVAL TRAINING CENTER, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. AFTER BASIC, HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO AT MOSCOW, IDAHO FOR RADIO TRAINING. HE WAS ASSIGNED DUTY AS A RADIOMAN ON BOARD THE USS CALAMARES (AF-18), A REFRIGERATION SHIP. HE SPENT HIS ENTIRE TOUR ONBOARD THE USS CALAMARES. DURING HIS TOUR HE SERVED IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. HE RECEIVED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER MEDAL AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HE WAS DISCHARGED FROM THE NAVY ON OCTOBER 1945 AFTER THE SURRENDER OF JAPAN. HE RETURNED TO HIS HOMETOWN OF NAPLES.