News

Original Tuskegee Airman visits Robins,

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Sequoiya Lawson
  • 78th ABW/PA
Robins Air Force Base, GA --  The Robins Air Force Base community experienced living history as one of the original Tuskegee Airmen made a special visit Feb. 8.

"He's a part of history and an icon for African-Americans in the military," said Mark Robinson of the 78th Civil Engineer Squadron. "Tuskegee Airmen served such a great purpose and it's an honor to actually be able to touch the man himself."

George Watson, Sr. was in town for a speaking engagement at Fort Valley State University, but said he couldn't come through the area without visiting the Tuskegee Airmen exhibit at the Museum of Aviation.

The retired technical sergeant spoke of a visit to Balad Air Base, Iraq, home of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, named in honor of the 332nd Fighter Group which the Tuskegee Airmen belonged to during World War II.

"I go overseas a lot and I was amazed when I saw people from all nationalities there," said Mr. Watson. "I started thinking back to when I was in the service and they didn't want (blacks) to go - but we have talent, all nationalities have talent to help out in the war and I'm so proud now."

Mr. Watson said that when he gets into the cockpit of an airplane and he hardly sees anyone who looks like him he gets upset sometimes. "There were probably more black pilots in World War II than there are in the Air Force today," he said.

However, as a whole Mr. Watson is pleased with the strides all branches of the armed forces have made to diversify their corps.

"I always tell everyone I meet to never give up. Period," Mr. Watson said. "Also, when you go through life and meet people treat them the best you can because you never know when you'll cross paths again."

Those words rang true the very day of his visit.

"You can't get this experience out of history books," said Chief Master Sgt Carol Smits. Chief Smits had an opportunity almost 12 years earlier to speak with Mr. Watson and his peers in Montgomery, Ala. and couldn't pass up a second chance to shake his hand.

"We need to do the same thing for young women that are making amazing steps in our Air Force today," said the chief, who served as the first female senior enlisted advisor for the Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command more than 13 years ago. "Not to necessarily compare the two, but I truly respect his time and frame and also respect the strides we're making now."

"It's not about being first, it's about breaking that glass ceiling that so many think is impossible to do," said Chief Smits. "He's a credit to why we're on a much more even playing field today."

"When you meet a person face to face it gives you a chance to connect to what they did," said Mr. Robinson, who retired as a technical sergeant after serving 26 years in the Air Force. "That's why I wanted to have a picture with him so I can pass that on to my kids."

Passing the message through the generations is exactly what Mr. Watson wants to continue, not just through his words but through those that will live to tell the Tuskegee Airmen story for years to come.

"A lot of people tell me 'George you're up in age now, why are you going all over the world?" he said. "I say, the Air Force and the Tuskegee Airmen are my heart; that was my life and still is."

"So many of my buddies have passed away and as long as I'm able, I'm going to tell people the story and I'm going to do my part," said the vibrant 87 year-old veteran.

On March 29, 2007, Mr. Watson attended a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol rotunda, where he and the other surviving veterans of the Tuskegee Airmen and the widows of their deceased comrades were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of their service. Mr. Watson accepted the honor from President Bush on behalf of the enlisted corps at the presentation. The Congressional Gold Medal is the nation's most distinguished civilian award. The Tuskegee Airmen are the largest group to ever receive the award.

Mr. Watson joined the Army in 1942 and served 26 years in the U.S. Army and Air Force. Soon after enlisting, he was selected for training in Tuskegee, Ala. in the first group of recruits to make up the original Tuskegee Airmen. He was a technical supply sergeant for the 96th Maintenance Group, which offered ground support to the 332nd Fighter Group.

Mr. Watson is married to Louise and has three children George Watson Jr. (deceased) Tina Watson and Maurice Watson. He also has three grandchildren one of which is George Watson III, a United Airlines pilot. He currently lives in Lakewood, N. J.