James C. Watson

Southern Standard (McMinnville, TN) Wed,  Dec. 29, 1971

WATSON, James C. Watson (circa 1944 - 1971)
Career Sergeant Watson Dies In Vietnam Mishap

 The next of kin of McMinnville career soldier Sgt. James C. Watson, 27, have received word of his death from a non-combat accident in Vietnam on Christmas Day.

Sergeant Watson, son of the well-known Cumberland Presbyterian minister the Rev. F.L. Watson and Mrs. Watson, McMinnville, was a veteran of some 10 years military service, including three years in the Smithville Army National Guard unit.  His mother is the former Eula Elizabeth Bond.  He was married to the former Glenda McCormack, daughter of Hosea McCormack and the late Mrs. McCormack, of Dibrell.  Two sons, Charles and Allen Watson, also survive.  The sergeant was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.  Surviving, too, are seven brothers and four sisters including Paul Watson, the Rev. Morris Watson, Frank L. Watson, Jr., and Johnny Watson, all of McMinnville; James Watson, Smithville; Aaron Watson, Hot Spring, Ark.; the Rev. David Watson, Gadsden, Ala.; Mrs. Frances Billings, McMinnville; Mrs. Virgil Adcock, Rock Island; Mrs. Rebecca Bozza, Oakfield, Tenn., and Mrs. Anna Stennett, of Fairmont, Ind.

Prior to entering active service, the sergeant, a native of DeKalb County, attended Central High School here and was later employed by Century Electric Company and the H.G. Hill Store.  He had been in Vietnam since Sept. 14 of this year and had previously served in Korea with the 58th Ordnance Company.  In Vietnam, he was assigned to Company A of the 84th Engineer Construction Battalion.  The sergeant had received numerous commendations for outstanding service and devotion to duty at his various duty stations both in the United States and abroad.  He had been awarded the Expert Driver and Marksmanship badges, the Meritorious Commendation Ribbon with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and Vietnamese Service Medal.

When the body is returned, funeral services will be conducted in Love-Cantrell Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Phillip Clement, of Glasgow, Ky.; complete details to be announced later.  Full military honors will be rendered at the grave by the Military Funeral Detachment from Fort Campbell, Ky.

Southern Standard (McMinnville, TN) Wed,  Dec 1971
[Contributor: Cheryl Watson Mingle, 2006]

Obituary reproduced with permission of the Southern Standard.