Staff Sergeant
United States Marine Corps
Lewis Watkins
Citation
Citation
STAFF SERGEANT LEWIS G. WATKINS
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the
risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Guide
of a Rifle Platoon of Company I, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, First
Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces
in Korea during the hours of darkness on the morning of 7 October 1952.
With his platoon assigned the mission of re-taking an outpost which had
been overrun by the enemy earlier in the night, Staff Sergeant Watkins
skillfully led his unit in the assault up the designated hill. Although
painfully wounded when a well-entrenched hostile force at the crest of
the hill engaged the platoon with intense small-arms and grenade fire,
he gallantly continued to lead his men. Obtaining an automatic rifle from
one of the wounded men, he assisted in pinning down an enemy machine gun
holding up the assault. When an enemy grenade landed among Staff Sergeant
Watkins and several other Marines while they were moving forward through
a trench on the hill crest, he immediately pushed his companions aside,
placed himself in position to shield them and picked up the deadly missile
in an attempt to throw it outside the trench. Mortally wounded when the
grenade exploded in his hand, Staff Sergeant Watkins, by his great personal
valor in the face of almost certain death, saved the lives of several of
his comrades and contributed materially to the success of the mission.
His extraordinary heroism, inspiring leadership and resolute spirit of
self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit upon himself and enhance the
finest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave
his life for his country.
DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
President of the United States
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