George Watson (Medal of Honor)
George Watson | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 14, 1914 Laurel, Mississippi |
| Died | March 8, 1943 (aged 28) SS 's Jacob, Porlock Bay, New Guinea |
| Place of burial | at sea |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1942–1943 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit | 2nd Battalion, 29th Quartermaster Regiment L&B |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
George Watson (March 14, 1914 – March 8, 1943) was a United States Army private who died while rescuing fellow soldiers from drowning at sea during World War II. In 1997, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration for valor, for his actions on March 8, 1943, near Porlock Harbor, New Guinea.
Watson and six other Black Americans who served in World War II were awarded the Medal of Honor on January 12, 1997. The Medal of Honor was posthumously presented to Watson by President Bill Clinton on January 13, 1997, at a White House ceremony for the seven recipients, the first and only Black Americans to be awarded the Medal of Honor for World War II.