Jimmy Lee Watson

The database page for Jimmy Lee Watson

5 Jul 2004 THOUGHTS OF HOME As I rode into battle my thoughts were of home, Of the cool wet rain and the fields where I roamed, Painting the house on that bright sunny day, And of driving past that old railway archway. I reach in my pocket and pull out the photo, Through my whole body there shoots a warm glow, The photo shows me with my girl and my kids, Leaning back against the metal I close my eyelids. I can smell her perfume, and hear my kids laugh, I can see the wind blow stars and stripes on the staff, My thoughts were of home where I should be, Then comes a booming shout "Victor Charlie"! Quickly departing from the Huey once more, Time to forget the people back home I adore, My "family" for now is the guys by my side, Depending on each other and of soul confide. Mark Shanks - 2003 highlandbrave75@hotmail.com Photo courtesy of Mrs. Betty Watson

03 Jan 2007 Still wearing his bracelet. John Schrawder 1005 Market Street, Lewisburg, Pa. 17837 jschrawder@unionco.org

10 Mar 2007 Jimmy Lee Watson is my first cousin. His Mother waited for years in hopes of his return. I have spoken via phone and email with many that knew him while in Vietnam. Through those conversations, I have come to know that he was as fine a person during service as he was when we played marbles, softball and had dinner at his Mother's kitchen table. I know too from those conversations that Jimmy Lee loved what he did in protecting his country. I miss him and know that many people, other than myself, often think of him and the sacrfice he gave to his country. May we all never forget all of those that gave it all for us. Betty Watson watson1202@bellsouth.net

25 Jun 2007 I have recently gotten his bracelet on my last trip to Washington D.C. I too will be wearing it in his honor. Ed Bray ebray@aerosvc.com

18 Oct 2007 Still wearing his bracelet. Steven Lee Watson CW4, US Army, Retired stevewatson@us.army.mil

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 13 March 1968 a UH-1B HUEY (hull number 67-17254) departed Phu Bai Airfield (Hue) enroute Camp Evans, some 27 miles to the northwest. Ten men were aboard the aircraft: Aircrew from 1st Sqdn, 9th Cav Rgt LT Purda, pilot and aircraft commander CW3 Jimmy Lee Watson, copilot (01/28/1976) SFC Eugene Gubbins, crew chief PFC Larry Jay Moore, door gunner Passengers SSG Steven Wayne Heitman, passenger, HHT B/9 Cav (05/29/1974) Sgt Cleveland Evans, 3rd MT Bn, 3rd MarDiv (05/06/1975) 4 unidentified personnel from 1st Cav Div units At 1830 the aircraft was approximately 5 miles southeast of Camp Evans when it was brought down by enemy ground fire. None of the 10 men aboard the Huey were injured in the incident and all of them safely exited the aircraft. Believing there was a better chance of making their way to Camp Evans in two small groups they split into two 5-man teams. LT Purda and the 4 unidentified soldiers comprised one team; WO2 Watson, SFC Gubbins, PFC Moore, Sgt. Evans and SP5 Heitman comprised the second team. The two elements separated shortly thereafter taking slightly different routes toward the northwest and Camp Evans. LT Purda and the four soldiers walked into Camp Evans at 2000 hours. Once the situation became clear, an immediate and intensive search and rescue operation was organized to locate the rest of the flight crew and passengers. However, the initial search failed to locate either the aircraft or the missing personnel. On 28 March elements of the 1st Cavalry Division did locate the downed aircraft and found two bodies (identified as SFC Eugene Gubbins and PFC Larry Moore) in a shallow grave not far from the crash site. SAR efforts continued for the three men in and around the location where the two bodies were found, as well as between Camp Evans and the crash site, but without success. When the formal SAR efforts were terminated WO Jimmy Watson, SGT Cleveland Evans, and SSG Steven W. Heitman were listed Missing in Action. They were continued in MIA status until their respective service Secretaries approved Presumptive Findings of death for them (the PFOD dates are in parentheses above). As of 05 Jul 2004 their remains have not been repatriated.

The point-of-contact for this memorial is his cousin, Betty Watson watson1202@bellsouth.net

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 5 Jul 2004
Last updated 02/05/2008