Two Purple Hearts
Almost three weeks of patrolling, shore bombardment, and air raid had passed until they were
sent out on radar picket duty 50 miles north of Okinawa. They were told to
radio back early warnings of Japanese planes coming in, as they were replacing a
destroyer that had just recently been sunk. They shot down four or five planes
and, after four days, they returned to Okinawa to replenish their fuel and
ammunition. They were sent out on sub-patrol, and at dusk, two planes chased
after them. One was shot down, but sadly, the other crashed into their ship.
Mr. Watson was headed to his battle station when the plane hit directly above
him. He received severe burns, main from the ship's gasoline supply. The man
beside him was killed as a result of the crash. The ship did not sink,
thankfully, however 46 were killed and 48 were wounded by the fire and
explosions aboard the ship. At Okinawa, he was transferred to an Army Hospital
Ship known as the USS Pinkney for the treatment of his wounds. Six days later,
another plane crashed into the hospital ship he was on, causing him to receive
more burns and some shrapnel. Seven of the men from the USS Isherwood that were
currently on the USS Pinkney were killed. He was then transferred to another
hospital ship, the USS Hope, and was taken to an Army Hospital on the island of
Saipan. A month later, he was able to walk again and was flown to a Navy
Hospital at Pearl Harbor, where he had skin grafts and facial surgery. After
another two months, he was flown to San Francisco, just in time to participate
in the big celebration of the end of the war. He was sent, by train, to St.
Albans Navy Hospital on Long Island, New York for some more plastic surgery and
physical therapy. He then received 30 days leave. This was his first time home
in two years. It was also when he met the love of his life, Shirley.
sent out on radar picket duty 50 miles north of Okinawa. They were told to
radio back early warnings of Japanese planes coming in, as they were replacing a
destroyer that had just recently been sunk. They shot down four or five planes
and, after four days, they returned to Okinawa to replenish their fuel and
ammunition. They were sent out on sub-patrol, and at dusk, two planes chased
after them. One was shot down, but sadly, the other crashed into their ship.
Mr. Watson was headed to his battle station when the plane hit directly above
him. He received severe burns, main from the ship's gasoline supply. The man
beside him was killed as a result of the crash. The ship did not sink,
thankfully, however 46 were killed and 48 were wounded by the fire and
explosions aboard the ship. At Okinawa, he was transferred to an Army Hospital
Ship known as the USS Pinkney for the treatment of his wounds. Six days later,
another plane crashed into the hospital ship he was on, causing him to receive
more burns and some shrapnel. Seven of the men from the USS Isherwood that were
currently on the USS Pinkney were killed. He was then transferred to another
hospital ship, the USS Hope, and was taken to an Army Hospital on the island of
Saipan. A month later, he was able to walk again and was flown to a Navy
Hospital at Pearl Harbor, where he had skin grafts and facial surgery. After
another two months, he was flown to San Francisco, just in time to participate
in the big celebration of the end of the war. He was sent, by train, to St.
Albans Navy Hospital on Long Island, New York for some more plastic surgery and
physical therapy. He then received 30 days leave. This was his first time home
in two years. It was also when he met the love of his life, Shirley.
mr_watson_wounded_at_sea.pdf | |
File Size: | 1207 kb |
File Type: |
mr_watson_wounded_twice.pdf | |
File Size: | 714 kb |
File Type: |