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World War II Hero Airman Honored By Freeholders
OCEAN COUNTY - It's been a busy couple of weeks for George Watson Sr. of Lakewood. The World War II veteran and original member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen was among 200 surviving members of the squadrons to be honored by President George W. Bush in the Capital Rotunda on March 29.
Watson's groundbreaking services in the all- African-American air unit was recognized by special proclamation from the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
"George Watson is a true American hero," said Freeholder Gerry P. Little. "He volunteered to serve his country at a time when his country questioned if it even wanted his service."
By the end of the war, nearly 100 Tuskegee Airmen were awarded distinguished flying crosses and the unit's bravery and success helped convince President Harry S. Truman to desegregate the military in 1948.
"Men like George Watson helped lead the way," said Little. "He is a role model in every sense of the word."
Watson volunteered for the Army in February 1942, just two months after Pearl Harbor.
"All of Ocean County is proud of George Watson's accomplishments," said Freeholder John P. Kelly. "He and his fellow airmen richly deserve the honors presented by the President last week."
President Bush presented Watson and the Tuskegee Airman with the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation's highest civilian award.
During the war, Watson served on the Italian front as a supply sergeant with the 96th and 523rd service groups and the 332nd fighter group.
While in Italy, Watson took part in one of the Tuskegee Airmen's best-known "missions."
His squadron had been ordered to take part in a bombing raid over Germany. The only problem was the planes external fuel tanks were too small for the mission and no other squadron at the base would provide the Tuskegee pilots with the larger tanks.
In what became known as "Operation Fuel Tanks" or as Watson prefers, "the Great Train Robbery," he led a group of airmen to a supply train bound for another base.
Watson "liberated" the larger tanks from the train and immediately began distributing them to the planes in his squadron.
"Any soldier serving in World War II faced trying times, but for the Tuskegee Airmen they also had the added difficulties of prejudice," said Freeholder James F. Lacey. "George Watson and his fellow airmen overcame those obstacles and went on to become heroes."
After the war, Watson stayed in the military until 1969.
He was decorated more than a dozen times and later received the NAACP Lifetime Award. He has also authored two books about his experiences.
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