Breanne Montgomery
Katie DiYorio
Toya Shumate
Period 6
March 23,2007
World History
KHR Group Essay: Tom Watts WWII Veteran
Tom Watts is a World War II Veteran. He is an eighty-four year old gentleman who fought for our country. During the war, Tom served in the European Theater of Operations, working in the medical field. Before he went to fight he lived in Riverside. He attended three local schools: Chemawa, University Heights, and PolyHigh School. In June of 1942, Tom graduated from PolyHigh School.
When the war started, Tom was still attending Poly High and was listening to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s speech. After high school, he started working in Santa Maria for eighty-five cents an hour. Mr. Watts was eighteen years old when he first was drafted in January of 1943. He stated, “I felt like it was my duty to participate and fight for my country.” Away from his family and friends, Tom left without knowing what to expect from the experience.
Although Mr. Watts wanted to be drafted, he knew the importance of his part in the war. Mr. Watts started his training ten days after he was told he was chosen. The training all began in San Pedro at FortMcArthur. Afterwards, they sent him to CampBerkeley in Texas, were he took basic medical training. In August he was sent to CampClambern in Louisiana with the other one hundred and two men. Mr. Tom Watts joined the 127th general hospital to become a surgical technician.
Shortly after, he was put on to a troop train with 500 other enlisted men and sent to New York City. When they got to New York City, they were then sent to FortDevin in Massachusetts. There they were given a short break to go home and visit their family but Tom figured out that he only had eighteen hours to spend with his family after traveling back home from Massachusetts. His high school sweetheart Fern could not live this down because she missed him so much and wanted him to come home. They left out of BostonHarbor on October 17, 1943 in a luxury liner. They traveled for nine days all the way to Liverpool, England. It took longer than usual because they had to go around the war to arrive safely.
Once they arrived they set up a hospital and started taking patients. In 1944 a new unit took over and Tom’s unit was sent to the “Plains” to set up another general hospital. Tom recalls, “I could hear bombing twenty six miles away.” On July 1st, Tom crossed the English Channel and helped establish the first general hospital across the channel. A few months later Mr. Watts moved again. This time he went to France to set up a new general hospital in just three days. They stayed in France until January 1, 1945. Their next move was through Paris and on to Nancy, France. When they were there they took over another hospital. On May 8, 1945 news broke out that the war had ended. As the war ended, the unit moved back into the 240th general hospital back in Paris where Colonel Smith was in charge. They then closed out the hospital and gave it back to the French.
While Tom was remembering his experiences he said, “I was very fortunate to not have had that hard of a time during the war, unlike some.” Mr. Watts had some good times during the war. Also he got time off in Paris and he got to go and tour the city. He saw old castles and he met many people. Mr. Watts had some tough times while being away from home also. Being in the medical field, meant that he saw many shot wounds and brutal attacks that people had from the battlefield. Most of the accidents he treated were the worst ones, which occurred after the war. They provided medical care to not just allies but enemies also so many soldiers were in and out of the hospitals where Mr. Watts worked. Tom stated that there was an outbreak of meningitis in his training but luckily he was fine. He vividly remembers being put on the prom deck of a ship and freezing while trying to sleep at night. Mr. Watts said, “Sleeping on the deck got really cold.”
Tom said during the war it was difficult to keep in touch back at home, which upset him. The only way he could communicate with family and friends in America was through V-mail, which was a small, censored letter. Mr. Watts always wrote to his sweetheart Fern. He said it was difficult because anyone could read it before it got to her. Mr. Watts tried to keep in touch as much as possible.
Mr. Watts earned much experience during his three years. He was a Ward Master of the 127th general hospital. Tom also carries three medals; Conduct Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and a World War II Victory Medal. Going home he knew that he had something to be proud of. After the war Tom married his high school sweetheart Fern. While Mr. Watts was over seas, saving his country, Fern worked here in Riverside at March Air Force Base. Together Tom and Fern have four children. Also, they now have been married for fifty-eight years and have remained in Riverside. Sadly, Fern passed away two years ago. Mr. Watts has been part of the “King High Remembers” now for three years. Fern also attended this event before she passed. Still, Tom has no problem sharing his experience with people.
Tom Watts has a very interesting story to share. This was a very important event to always remember. His story opened our eyes and touched our hearts. Tom’s famous quote is, “if things don’t go quite right, always make the best of it.” Our veterans are very important in the United Sates. There is a big thanks owed to them for fighting and tending to our country. Without them, we might not be here.