A World War II veteran and original member of the legendary Tuskegee Airman was presented with the highly distinguished Purple Heart yesterday by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04). Smith helped George Watson Sr., 89, of Lakewood, N.J., overcome difficulties in obtaining the long overdue honor. Watson, a former technical sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps (the predecessor of the U.S. Air Force) who like many veterans seek to preserve their military service history years after their separation, began his efforts to obtain his due Purple Heart in 1999, based on injuries he sustained in a German bombing raid.
“Mr. Watson is a hero, like all veterans who serve their country, but in addition to facing the German Luftwaffe, he faced ingrained prejudice from his own country,” Smith said. “In a segregated U.S. military that ultimately prevented him from receiving this medal sooner, he served his country faithfully and was hurt during a bombing raid. Despite all the challenges of war and bigotry, today he receives his just due. Mr. Watson’s story as part of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen is now officially recognized and preserved for him and his family.”
Smith said after a nighttime Nazi air raid on March 16, 1944 during which Mr. Watson was wounded with shrapnel, the airman declined to report his injuries for fear that because he was a member of the discriminated Tuskegee Airmen he would be ejected from the Army Air Corps and sent back to the infantry. Years later, because no injury report was made at the time, the medal was not approved by the Army.
To be reconsidered for the medal, Smith’s Office worked with Mr. Watson to obtain new evidence to have the case reopened. Mr. Watson obtained a medical report from when he was stationed in Germany which had incorrect information. Also, an eyewitness was located. That eyewitness travelled from New York to attend today’s ceremony. Wilford DeFour, was a tent mate of Watson’s who was a witness to the injury. The corrected German medical record and the account from a witness was sufficient to have Mr. Watson’s case reconsidered, and ultimately approved.
“Thank you, Congressman Smith, I know you worked hard on this,” said Mr. Watson.
Also present was Col. Gina Grosso, 87th Air Wing Commander of the JB-MDL, and numerous Air Force officials and friends and family of Mr. Watson.
“This long overdue recognition would not be possible without the direct and persistent intervention of Congressman Smith and we are grateful for his efforts,” Grosso said. “Thank you Congressman Smith for making this ceremony possible and for being with us here today to award the Purple Heart to a very distinguished Airman. The Tuskegee Airmen helped to win a war, and helped change our nation for the better. It is clear, that the United States would not be as strong as it is today without the contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen during and after the war displacing the notion that African Americans could never succeed in combat or conquer any other challenge put in front of them.” TLS.
That’s nice, the USA air force rocks!
Terrific! I thank you Mr. Watson, Lakewood should be proud of you!
I am a big reader of WII books both fiction & non Fiction.
What the Tuskegee Airman did during WII was unbileavable. they saved many of our bombers.
But to call the Purple heart a “highly distinguished Purple Heart” is just not right.
Durig WII they used to call that the i forgot to duck medal.
Any medal that is givin to a veteren is well deserved, put please, if it was the DFC or silver or bronze star that is called the “highly distinguished”….
Congradulations Mr. Watson, i’m sorry our country took so long for you to get your medal.