Robert Watson married Mary Mosely in 1933.
He was killed in action near Hill 351 near Moussin, France. Buried at Epinal American Cemetery, Epinal (Vosges), France, B, 12, 3.
He has a memorial stone in the Johnson-Roanview Cemetery, Roan Mountain, TN.
The Elizabethton Star, Mary 11, 1946
The other day we visited Mary Watson here at Roan Mountain. She is the widow of Robert Watson who went away to war to fight for the right to maintain our American way of life. Robert Watson paid the supreme sacrifice. He was killed December 26, one day after Christmas, in 1944. Robert Watson and Mary Mosely were married 12 years ago May 9. As Mary showed me the papers from Major General J.A. Ulio, and Lieutenant Colonel Mayo A. Darling, as she opened the little box containing the Purple Heart and then the Silver Star that was posthumously awarded her husband, there was a quivering of lips as she looked out upon the mountains Bob Watson knew and loved. Here is the letter Mary received from the Adjutant General’s office in the War Department June 23, 1945;
Mrs. Mary M. Watson, General Delivery, Roan Mountain, Tennessee.
Dear. Mrs. Watson; I have the honor to inform you that by the direction of the President, the Silver Star has been posthumously awarded your husband, Staff Sergeant Robert Watson, Infantry.
“For gallantry in action. On 26 December 1944, Staff Sergeant Watson led four men over 100 yards of open ground, in an attack on thirty firmly entrenched enemy riflemen who were delaying the … of his enemy on Hill 351 near **** Despite machine gun, rifle and bazooka fire and hand grenades which struck all around him, Staff Sergeant Watson drove the enemy from their position and, when they sought cover farther up the hill, again drove them from their positions. Exposing himself to lead his four men in further pursuit of the enemy Staff Sergeant Watson was killed by an enemy sniper; however, he had thrown the enemy into retreat, and his comrades quickly took the hill.”
The decoration will be forwarded to the Commanding General, Fourth Service Command, Atlanta, Georgia, who will select an officer to make the presentation. The officer selected sill communicate with you confernning your wished in the matter. May I again express my deepest sympathy to you in your bereavement.
Sincerely yours, J.A. Ulio, Major General.
After I had read the Presidential citation and looked at the Silver Star and Purple Heart, Mary closed the little boxes and folded the papers. We were silent as we left the room. My thoughts were of the terrible tragedies of war…. I know where Mary’s thoughts were.
- Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Date of birth: 16 April 1911
- Date of death: 26 December 1944
- County: Carter
- Hometown: Roan Mountain
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Silver Star, Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Epinal American Cemetery, Epinal (Vosges), France
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VIII, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Robert Watson
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