Harry Thomas Watts
Harry Thomas Watts was a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor and was recognized that day by receiving the Navy Commendation Medal for his actions while serving as a Machine Gunner in the Machine Gun Group, 4th Defense Battalion. Within minutes of the attack, him and his crew were in place fighting back against the enemy Japanese planes which attacked the American Naval Base by surprise. Many lives were lost that day and Mr. Watts was very fortunate to survive this ordeal. He was very proud to be a Marine and to have been a Survivor.
Mr. Watts enlisted on 1 August 1941. He was qualified as a marksman with both his rifle, bayonet, and a machine gun on 19 September 1941. On 22 November 1941, Mr. Watts departed San Diego, California for the destination of Pearl Harbor. Mr. Watts arrived at the Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor on 1 December 1941 as part of Machine Gun Group, 4th Defence Battalion. 6 days later at the age of 17, Mr. Watts would experience a day of infamy. On 7 December 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. As part of the Machine Gun Group, Mr. Watts was one of the few Marines equipped with enough fire power to fend off the attacking aircraft due to the supplies of the Anti-aircraft units being locked away in the armory. Mr. Watts was a proud survivor of Pearl Harbor and he left a well known legacy to both his family, his friends, and many others.
After the battle, Mr. Watts was sent to Midway where he arrived on 24 December 1941 and stayed until 18 February 1942 when he would return to Pearl Harbor. The 4th Defence Battalion began island hopping and landed at Vella Lavella, British Solomon Islands on 15 August 1943. Mr. Watts saw constant combat against the Japanese until 16 October 1943.
Mr. Watts would be sent back to San Diego shortly after the 4th Defence Battalion became apart of the 3rd Amphibious Corps. He would then extend his enlistment and join the 3rd Marine Division as a member of the band, playing the trumpet.
Mr. Harry Thomas Watts was discharged on 7th November 1945 and would marry Ms. Ann Williams. Both Mr. And Mrs. Watts were proud supporters of the Pearl Harbor Survivor Association as well as proud members of the 4th Defence Battalion. Mr. Watts attended many reunions in Arkansas and all around the United States.
Mr. Watts enlisted on 1 August 1941. He was qualified as a marksman with both his rifle, bayonet, and a machine gun on 19 September 1941. On 22 November 1941, Mr. Watts departed San Diego, California for the destination of Pearl Harbor. Mr. Watts arrived at the Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor on 1 December 1941 as part of Machine Gun Group, 4th Defence Battalion. 6 days later at the age of 17, Mr. Watts would experience a day of infamy. On 7 December 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. As part of the Machine Gun Group, Mr. Watts was one of the few Marines equipped with enough fire power to fend off the attacking aircraft due to the supplies of the Anti-aircraft units being locked away in the armory. Mr. Watts was a proud survivor of Pearl Harbor and he left a well known legacy to both his family, his friends, and many others.
After the battle, Mr. Watts was sent to Midway where he arrived on 24 December 1941 and stayed until 18 February 1942 when he would return to Pearl Harbor. The 4th Defence Battalion began island hopping and landed at Vella Lavella, British Solomon Islands on 15 August 1943. Mr. Watts saw constant combat against the Japanese until 16 October 1943.
Mr. Watts would be sent back to San Diego shortly after the 4th Defence Battalion became apart of the 3rd Amphibious Corps. He would then extend his enlistment and join the 3rd Marine Division as a member of the band, playing the trumpet.
Mr. Harry Thomas Watts was discharged on 7th November 1945 and would marry Ms. Ann Williams. Both Mr. And Mrs. Watts were proud supporters of the Pearl Harbor Survivor Association as well as proud members of the 4th Defence Battalion. Mr. Watts attended many reunions in Arkansas and all around the United States.