Winston Harl Watson. He was the son of Sam E. and Tissie B. Watson of Monroe County, Tennessee. He married Edna Blanch Dailey in 1941.
F2 Watson was aboard the U.S.S. Indianapolis when it was sunk by two torpedoes fired by the I-58, a Japanese submarine.
Fireman 2nd Class Watson is missing in action and is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial ABMC Manila, Manila City, Philippines and at Haven Hill Memorial Park, Madisonville, Tennessee.
Winston H. Watson, born Dec. 13, 1919, departed this life July 30, 1945. He professed faith in Christ at an early age and joined the Notchey Creek Baptist Church. He always loved his church, and Sunday School. He was a Christian, honest, kind and true.
He was married to Miss Edna Dailey of Madisonville on Oct. 10, 1941, who, with one daughter, Martha Annetta, survives him. Also surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sam E. Watson, five sisters, Mrs. Elsie Haun, Mrs. Robert Atkins, Mrs. Barney Watkins and Mrs. Eugene Caughron, all of Madisonville, and Mrs. Clyde T. Atkins of Tellico Plains, two brothers, Edwin and Leon Watson, of Madisonville.
He was a good husband, a true father, a real son and brother.
With memory lingering sweet and true, may we by the help of God live so as to live again with you in the land where there will be no sorrow nor goodbyes, and where we will sing God’s praises forever.
We thank God, who made it possible that we can live in a land where we will never part again.
-A sister, Mrs. Clyde T. Atkins
The Knoxville Journal, September 30, 1945:
Madisonville, Sept. 29 – Winston H. Watson, fireman (1-c) USNR, of Madisonville, has been reported missing in action since July 30, following the sinking of the Indianapolis. He enlisted in the Navy Aug. 18, 1944 and received his boot training at San Diego, Calif. He spent six months overseas, participating in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The ship had been in the Mare Island navy yard for repairs in May after it was hit by a Jap suicide plane. He was home on furlough in June of this year, reporting back to his ship on July 2. His wife, the former Edna Dailey and daughter, resides with his parents on Route 5, Madisonville.
- Rank: Fireman Second Class
- Date of birth: 13 December 1919
- Date of death: 30 July 1945
- County: Monroe
- Hometown: Madisonville
- Service Branch: Navy
- Division/Assignment: USS Indianapolis
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Battles: USS Indianapolis
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XVI, Top Panel
- Sponsored by: Jennifer Givan Parker
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