World War II Honoree

Burl S. Watson

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Manhasset, New York

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE ON MAY 8, 1945, WHICH WAS VICTORY IN EUROPE DAY (V-E DAY). SERVED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER IN THE U.S. NAVY AVIATION CADET (V-5) PROGRAM. HE WAS IN TRAINING WHEN THE ATOMIC BOMBS WERE DROPPED ON JAPAN AND WHEN THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT UNCONDITIONALLY SURRENDERED IN AUGUST, 1945, AND WHEN VICTORY OVER JAPAN DAY (V-J DAY) WAS PROCLAIMED ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1945. AWARDED THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. RELEASED FROM ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE AND HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A NAVAL AVIATION CADET. ENTERED U.S. AIR FORCE SERVICE AFTER THE WAR AND SERVED UNTIL AGAIN HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF FIRST LIEUTENANT.