George Watson

Private · U.S. Army

8 March 1943 · Place not recorded

Public domain. http://www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/citations/watson.htm immediate source — National Park Service, crediting the image as Public Domain Source file

Branch: U.S. Army
Era: World War II
Action: George Watson, 8 March 1943

The citation

Official citation

For extraordinary heroism in action on 8 March 1943. Private Watson was on board a ship which was attacked and hit by enemy bombers. When the ship was abandoned, Private Watson, instead of seeking to save himself, remained in the water assisting several soldiers who could not swim to reach the safety of the raft. This heroic action, which subsequently cost him his life, resulted in the saving of several of his comrades. Weakened by his exertions, he was dragged down by the suction of the sinking ship and was drowned. Private Watson's extraordinarily valorous actions, daring leadership, and self-sacrificing devotion to his fellow-man exemplify the finest traditions of military service.

Sources

U.S. Army Medal of Honor citation index
Wikipedia. Linked only. The article text is not copied here.