Leroy Watson's Obituary
Leroy Watson, age 84 of Madison, passed away Monday, February 27, 2012 in Nashville, TN. Mr. Watson was born April 3, 1927 in Nashville, TN to Roy William and Ruth Amanda Knight Watson. He grew up in Nashville before joining the U.S. Navy at the age of 15. A proud veteran, Mr. Watson served on the U.S.S. Mahan in the Pacific during World War II. After serving his country, he worked for United Methodist Publishing House as a printer. He was an avid golfer playing in many tournaments and was a member of Two Rivers Senior Golf Association. He loved playing card games, especially Hand and Foot. He was a member of V.F.W. Post 88 and a lifetime member of the D.A.V. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Alice R. Fitzhugh and Jean E. Gibbs. He is survived by his daughters, Julia Cassandra (Garlen) Gifford and Yvonne Amanda (Melvin) Burkhardt; brother, James “Jim” Watson, Robert “Bob” Watson and John B. “J.B.” Watson; sister, Helen E. Whited; grandchildren, Tracey L. Luxem, Matthew D. Burkhardt, Scott Gifford and Heather G. Gifford. A celebration of Mr. Watson’s life will be conducted at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, February 29, 2012 from the Chapel of Spring Hill Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Spring Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at Spring Hill Funeral Home. Memorial contributions should be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org. Arrangements entrusted to Spring Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery, 5110 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216 (615) 865-1101. From Presentation of American Eagle Award: Roy entered the Navy when he was 15 years old in July of 1942. He is not one who likes to draw attention to himself, so has instead asked that we honor all those who served with him and honor those who lost their lives, on board the USS Mahan. On October 16th, the USS Mahan (DD-364), along with USS Lamson had left formation to conduct a raid on Japanese patrol vessel. Shortly after spotting the vessel a Japanese plane circled the destroyers but did not attack. Ten minutes later they opened fire causing the vessel to sink. One hour later, a Japanese Naval Ship was sighted and a running engagement followed. Expert Marksmanship from both the USS Mahan and USS Lamson struck the enemy vessel and watched as it slipped beneath the waves. The Japanese Aircraft, which earlier circled the ships, made a diving attack, dropping bombs which fell wide of their target. Both ships open fire and the plane was retired. This marked the first air surface action with both the USS Mahan, USS Lamson, Roy and his shipmates. So, was the beginning of Roy’s US Naval Service aboard the USS Mahan. Many battles were fought and many lives were lost. On January 9th, the USS Mahan departed Pearl Harbor and continued her journey to restore freedom, justice, and liberty for us all. The USS Mahan was sunk December 7th, 1944 at Ormoc Bay in the Philippines. Personnel casualties as result of this devastating attack are five men and one officer were listed as missing and 31 crewmen were wounded with only 13 of 31 requiring hospitalization. Today we honor that great destroyer, a World War II Ship and its crew. Thank you Roy and the crew of the USS Mahan for sacrificing so much for the freedoms we enjoy today.For her combat actions in the Pacific the USS Mahan (DD-364) earned the following battle stars on the Asia-Pacific Area Service Medal:1 Star/Pacific Raids- 1942 Marsha Gilbert Raids 1 February 19421 Star/ Santa Cruz Islands Operations 26 October 19421 Star/ Eastern New Guinea Operations:Lae Occupation 4 to 16 September 1942Finschafen Occupation 22 September 1942Saidor Occupation 1 to 3 January 1944, 6 to 9 January 1944 and 12 to 14 January 1944 1 Star/ Bismarck Archipelago: Arawe, New Britain 15 December 1943, 26 to 28 December 1943, 7 to 10 February 1944, 14 to 16 February 1944 and 19 to 15 February 1944 Admiralty Islands Landings 29 February to 4 March 1944 and 14 to 18 February 1944 1 star/ Leyte operation:Leyte Landings 29 October 1944Ormoc Bay Landings 7 December 1944
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