William Richard Watson
Corporal William R. “Dick” Watson served with Easy Company, Second Battalion, 2nd Marines.
He was reported missing in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 318463
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
September 6, 1917
at London, OH
Parents
Otway Andrew Watson (d. 1938)
Ethel (Richardson) Watson
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
W. L. Funk’s Groceteria
Service Life
Entered Service
August 29, 1941
at Cincinnati, OH
Home Of Record
228 Toland Street
London, OH
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Ethel Watson
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
E/2/2nd Marines
Second Platoon
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Corporal William Watson served with Easy Company, 2nd Marines during the battle of Tarawa. On 20 November 1943, his battalion was tasked with spearheading the assault on a stretch of sand called Beach Red Two. Easy Company was to land on the western half of the beach, but on the way to shore their LVTs were subjected to withering fire from the Japanese defenses, and the unit’s organization disintegrated. Casualties were extremely heavy; of 165 Easy Company men who went into action, 62 were killed and scores more were wounded over the course of the battle.
Easy’s Second Platoon, led by 2Lt. Donald R. Dahlgren, was thrown off course during the landing and wound up on the eastern edge of Beach Red One. The LVT carrying Corporal Watson and others managed to reach the shore but was immediately targeted by the defenders. According to researcher Tom Godwin, the tractor crew died at their posts and every man in the passenger bay was killed or wounded. A Marine managed to back the vehicle off the beach and into the water before the engine died. Later that day, the survivors managed to exit the LVT and make their own way to shore.
Dick Watson was reported as missing in action following the debacle of 20 November; when no further word of his whereabouts was received, his status was changed to killed in action as of that date.
Burial Information or Disposition
No information recorded; disposition not known.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 33, Grave 14, Row 1, Plot 15.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Ethel Irene Watson
Location Of Loss
Corporal Watson was last seen alive during landing operations on Betio.