In the Press...
NJ.com News Article; Rep. Smith: 'humbling' to be in presence of Lakewood's Tuskegee Airman George Watson'Tuskegee Airman, Congressional Gold Medal winner George Watson dies'Mr. Watson was born on Aug. 10, 1920 in Wildwood, to Jack and Anna Watson. He played football for Lakewood High School and was recently inducted into its football hall of fame. In 1942, just weeks after high school, he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps. He was sent to Tuskegee to help form the 332nd Fighter Group and the 96th Air Service Group, where he served as a supply sergeant and support personnel. In a talk at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst two years ago, Tech Sgt. Watson said he joined the service because his mother was scrubbing floors to make a living. The Army's Air Service was a way "to make a better life for himself." Bryce Watson said there still a great deal that hasn't been reported about his grandfather and the Tuskegee Airmen's role in the war, including what he called "Operation Fuel Tank," more popularly known as " The Great Train Robbery." He was in Italy, based at Ramitelli Airbase. Operation Fuel Tanks is Bryce Watson said. George Watson Sr. of Lakewood, one of the original Tuskegee Airmen has died. He was 96.Mr. Watson died of complications due to pneumonia on June 19. Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Calvary Lighthouse Church, just a few hundred feet away from the Watson home on East County Line Road. During his 26 years of service in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force., he was assigned to stations in Germany, England, Turkey and McGuire Air Force Base in Burlington County, his grandson Bryce Watson said. His duties during World War II included delivering aircraft parts to the "Red Tails," the nickname for the African-American airmen responsible for flying escort for heavy bombers. His grandson said he was injured while on guard duty, but later returned to service. After retiring, Tech Sgt. Watson managed the Greenwood Cemetery in Lakewood, his grandson said. He also made a life out of talking to schools and community groups about the Tuskegee Airmen. Two films were made about the legendary Tuskegee Airmen, and Watson was interviewed and credited for his contribution to George Lucas' 2012 movie "Red Tails." Experts estimate that fewer than 200 of the airmen are still alive. "He was very excited when Lucas Films came to town," his grandson said. Tech Sgt. Watson waited a long time to receive long-overdue honors, like the Purple Heart and the Congressional Gold Medal. In 2010, Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), personally handed Watson his medal. "I was dismayed to learn of the passing of George Watson," Smith said. "You read about Mr. Watson in history books. He faced Nazis. He faced racism in the military. He overcame. He helped make the world a better place." "It was humbling for me to be in the presence of one of the legendary Tuskegee Airman," Smith said. "There was a hijacking of a military train by 22 guys, who parked across the tracks and took the fuel tanks at gun point. It was kept very quiet and wasn't something he was willing to discuss," he said. Bryce Watson suspects his grandfather was one of those 22 men, as well as one of 12 assigned to work with the Black Op spies in Germany during World War II. "He used to talk about the Tuskegee Airmen all the time while I was growing up," Bryce Watson said. In 1969, Tech Sgt. Watson retired from McGuire Air Force Base, where he worked as an aircraft and missile electrician. Watson was an ardent volunteer in the Lakewood community where he grew up. In addition to being active in community service, he took photographs free of charge at high school football and basketball games. He also founded the American Legion Chapter named after Captain Robert B. Tresville and was awarded the NAACP Lifetime Award and the Community Service Award for outstanding contributions. Tech Sgt. Watson was predeceased by his wife Louise, whom he was married to for 71 years before her death in 2014. He is survived by two sons and one daughter. |