A World War II veteran and original member of the legendary Tuskegee Airman was presented with the highly distinguished Purple Heart today 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.

Related Links:

(click here for: an ABC Action News story on George Watson)
(click here for: an Asbury Park Press video of the event)
(click here for: a selection of photos taken by the APP)
(click here for: an article in the Lakewood Scoop)
(click here for: an article in Air Force Times)
(click here for: a release by Jt Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst)


              “George Watson is a true American hero—bold, selfless, courageous, loyal and patient,” Smith said. “He has waited half a century to receive his Purple Heart. Not only did Mr. Watson answer the call of duty at America’s darkest hour, but he did so despite widespread racism, including and especially, racism in the military.

             “The Tuskegee Airmen not only shattered a boatload of pernicious myths and racist stereotyping, but as a combat force made an extraordinary contribution to ending Nazi aggression,” Smith said.

             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, 87^th 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.”