Watson, George
1914-1943 · Contribution: 1943-1997
Military & Safety
Received the Medal of Honor posthumously in 1997 for repeatedly risking his life to pull drowning soldiers to safety after his ship was sunk by Japanese bombers off New Guinea in March 1943, until exhaustion cost him his own life
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Quick facts
- Born
- 1914-1943
- Category
- Military & Safety
Impact on the world
Watson gave his life saving fellow soldiers who could not save themselves, becoming the first Black WWII serviceman recognized for valor.
Sources
- National Museum of the United States Army
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