Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Master Sergeant Travis E. Watkins was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on August 31, 1950 near Yongsan, Korea during the Korean War. At the time he was serving with Company H, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Watkins was 29 years old.
2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on January 9, 1951.
Watkins was born on September 5, 1920 in Waldo, Columbia County, Arkansas. His Medal of Honor is credited to Texas. Watkins died on September 3, 1950 in Yongsan, Korea, at the age of 29. He is buried at Gladewater Memorial Park in Gladewater, Texas.
Watkins is one of 153 Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean War and one of 78 credited to Texas.
Official Medal of Honor citation
M/Sgt. Watkins distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. When an overwhelming enemy force broke through and isolated 30 men of his unit, he took command, established a perimeter defense and directed action which repelled continuous, fanatical enemy assaults. With his group completely surrounded and cut off, he moved from foxhole to foxhole exposing himself to enemy fire, giving instructions, and offering encouragement to his men. Later when the need for ammunition and grenades became critical he shot two enemy soldiers 50 yards outside the perimeter and went out alone for their ammunition and weapons. As he picked up their weapons he was attacked by three others and wounded. Returning their fire he killed all three and gathering up the weapons of the five enemy dead returned to his amazed comrades. During a later assault, six enemy soldiers gained a defiladed spot and began to throw grenades into the perimeter making it untenable. Realizing the desperate situation and disregarding his wound, he rose from his foxhole to engage them with rifle fire. Although immediately hit by a burst from an enemy machine gun he continued to fire until he had killed the grenade throwers. With this threat eliminated he collapsed and despite being paralyzed from the waist down, encouraged his men to hold on. He refused all food, saving it for his comrades, and when it became apparent that help would not arrive in time to hold the position ordered his men to escape to friendly lines. Refusing evacuation as his hopeless condition would burden his comrades, he remained in his position and cheerfully wished them luck. Through his aggressive leadership and intrepid actions, this small force destroyed nearly 500 of the enemy before abandoning their position. M/Sgt. Watkins' sustained personal bravery and noble self-sacrifice reflect the highest glory upon himself and is in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the U.S. Army.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Travis E. Watkins received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II, Korean War.
Places
Timeline
- September 5, 1920Born in Waldo, Columbia County, Arkansas
- August 31, 1950Act of valor — near Yongsan, KoreaAge 29. Company H, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division
- September 3, 1950Died in Yongsan, KoreaAge 29.
- January 9, 1951Medal of Honor presented posthumously
- Resting placeGladewater Memorial ParkGladewater, Texas
Biography
Travis Earl Watkins (September 5, 1920 – September 3, 1950) was a United States Army soldier and a posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Korean War. A veteran of World War II, Watkins was awarded the medal for his conspicuous leadership during the Battle of Yongsan.
From the Wikipedia article “Travis E. Watkins”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
