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Korean War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Master Sergeant Travis E. Watkins, US Army
This Medal of Honor recipient was born at Waldo, Arkansas, on September 5, 1920. He attended schools in Troup, Texas, and enlisted in the United States Army in 1939. He was awarded the Bronze Star during World War II for meritorious action during the campaign for Guadalcanal.
During the Korean War, Watkins, now a master sergeant, was a member of Company H, Ninth Infantry, United States Army, near Yongsan, Korea. In action between August 31 and September 3, 1950, thirty men of his unit were isolated by an overwhelming enemy force. Taking command of the group, he established a perimeter defense and directed action that repelled fanatic enemy assaults. With his group surrounded and cut off from help, he moved from foxhole to foxhole, exposing himself to enemy fire, giving instructions and encouraging his men. When ammunition became critical he shot two enemy soldiers fifty yards outside the perimeter and went out alone to retrieve their weapons and ammunition. He was attacked and wounded by three others. He killed all three, gathered up the ammunition of all five, and returned to his amazed comrades. During a later assault six of the enemy began to throw grenades into the perimeter, making it untenable. Sergeant Watkins rose from his foxhole and engaged them with rifle fire. Though he was hit by machine-gun fire, he continued shooting until he killed the grenade throwers. He then collapsed, paralyzed from the waist down, but continued to encourage his men to hold on. When it became apparent that help would not arrive in time to hold the position he ordered the men to escape to friendly lines. Refusing evacuation because he knew his condition would hold his men back, he remained in his position and wished them luck. Through his aggressive leadership the small force had destroyed nearly 500 of the enemy. For his bravery and noble self-sacrifice Watkins was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, which his wife received from President Harry S. Truman in Washington, D.C., on January 9, 1951. He was buried with full military honors in Gladewater Memorial Park at Gladewater, Texas. Fort Sam Houston General Order #46, 6 June 1961 named the Watkins Terrace Housing Area in his honor.
The USNS Watkins was christened in his honor on 28 July 2000.
CITATION:
Rank and organization: Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company H, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division Place and date: Near Yongsan, Korea, 31 August through 3 September 1950. Entered service at: Texas. Birth: Waldo, Ark. G.O. No.: 9, 16 February 1951. Citation: M/Sgt. Watkins distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. When an overwhelming enemy force broke through and isolated 30 men of his unit, he took command, established a perimeter defense and directed action which repelled continuous, fanatical enemy assaults. With his group completely surrounded and cut off, he moved from foxhole to foxhole exposing himself to enemy fire, giving instructions and offering encouragement to his men. Later when the need for ammunition and grenades became critical he shot 2 enemy soldiers 50 yards outside the perimeter and went out alone for their ammunition and weapons. As he picked up their weapons he was attacked by 3 others and wounded. Returning their fire he killed all 3 and gathering up the weapons of the 5 enemy dead returned to his amazed comrades. During a later assault, 6 enemy soldiers gained a defiladed spot and began to throw grenades into the perimeter making it untenable. Realizing the desperate situation and disregarding his wound he rose from his foxhole to engage them with rifle fire. Although immediately hit by a burst from an enemy machine gun he continued to fire until he had killed the grenade throwers. With this threat eliminated he collapsed and despite being paralyzed from the waist down, encouraged his men to hold on. He refused all food, saving it for his comrades, and when it became apparent that help would not arrive in time to hold the position ordered his men to escape to friendly lines. Refusing evacuation as his hopeless condition would burden his comrades, he remained in his position and cheerfully wished them luck. Through his aggressive leadership and intrepid actions, this small force destroyed nearly 500 of the enemy before abandoning their position. M/Sgt. Watkins' sustained personal bravery and noble self-sacrifice reflect the highest glory upon himself and is in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the U.S. Army.
Courtesy of Find A Grave
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