Donald David Watson - KIA

Preferred Name: Don
Date of Birth: July 13, 1939
Highest Military Grade: 0-2 – First Lieutenant
Hometown: Tripoli, WI
Headed West Date: July 31, 1965

1Lt Donald David Watson was on his second tour to Southeast Asia. “While serving on TDY status from Cannon AFB, New Mexico (524th Tactical Fighter Squadron) to Ton Son Nhut Airbase, SVN, Lt. Watson flew the F 100 in close air support missions for the Army. He was flying number 2 (F-100 #55-2837) in a flight of three F-100s dropping 500-pound bombs on North Vietnamese troops while in contact with US forces. On his first bombing pass, he was hit by ground fire and the aircraft exploded immediately with no chance for him to eject from the aircraft. Search and rescue efforts turned up no sign of plane or pilot.
Submitted by Charles M. Summers, Colonel, US Air Force, Retired who was flight lead on this mission and witnessed the explosion. His body was recovered.(1)

Donald David Watson is buried at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery, Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado.

Donald is also honored on the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington DC. Name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 02e, Line 46.

 

 

Sources: Bio Info/Photos – HonorStates.org; vvmf.org; findagrave.com