WILLIAM F. WATTS

Lieutenant Colonel William F. Watts began his commissioned career in 1942 as a student at the Parachute School and Demolition School, Fort Benning, Georgia. | He was subsequently promoted to First Lieutenant and assigned to the duties as Aide-de-Camp, Commanding General 84th Infantry Division, Camp Claiborne, Louisiana in 1943. In 1944, he was assigned to the Americal Division as a rifle platoon leader in the Guadalcanal, Solomon Island Operation, where he led approximately 40 jungle patrols and was later assigned to the 11th Airborne Division as Assistant G2 in New Guinea and Leyte, Philippine Islands. He was promoted to Captain in 1945 while serving as Assistant G2 in Luzon, and later assigned as Liaison Officer to the 298th Division (Chinese), Advisor to Chinese Infantry Regiment Commander. 1946-1947, Watts was assigned to the 100th Division (USAR) Beckley, West Virginia; 1948-1952, 150th Infantry RCT (ARNG) Beckley, West Virginia. He was promoted to Major in 1953 and assigned to State Staff, West Virginia, ARNG as Assistant G3 1953-1958, Charleston, West Virginia. 1959-1960 assigned as Commanding Officer 101st Special Forces, Beckley, West Virginia. 1961 assigned to the 16th Special Forces Group (ABN) as Commanding Officer, Charleston, West Virginia. | Lieutenant Colonel Watts's awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters; Asiatic-Pacific with five battle stars and one arrowhead; American Campaign; World War II Victory; Philippine Liberation with bronze service star; Presidential Unit Citation; Philippine Unit Citation; Combat Infantryman Badge and Parachute Badge.