Drafted into the army in early 1942.
early 1942.
In early '42 Robert was drafted into the army. He enlisted on May 20 in Fort Devens (MA). On May 25 he arrived at Camp Bowie (TX), where he received his basic military training. Then he was at Fort Benning (GA) where he followed a rigorous training as a paratrooper.
Read the story: Military file >
Stationed in Berkshire England
Berkshire, Sept. 5, 1943
From September 1943 Robert and his comrades were stationed in the English in the county of Wiltshire. Until early June 1944 they received further training in preparation for the imminent invasion of the European mainland.
Read the story: Combat route (1) >
The invasion of Normandy
D-Day, June 6, 1944
On June 6, 1944 (D-Day) the men of 506 PIR flew from Greenham Common Airport(Berkshire) to the coast of Normandy. They were dropped into Drop Zone "C" north of Hiesville behind Utah Beach. In June they were fighting in Normandy.
Read the story: Combat route (1) >
Operation Market Garden
Son, September 17, 1944
The second mission for the men of 506th PIR was Operation Market Garden. They were dropped into Drop Zone 'B' near Son, north of Eindhoven. After the paratroopers had landed the local people came out of hiding and helped their liberators whenever possible.
Read the story: Combat route (2) >
The Bulge ('Ardennenoffensif')
Bastogne, Dec. 18, 1944
On 16 Dec 1944. the Germans launched a barrage of some 2,000 guns, a large-scale attack: theBattle of the Bulge (Ardennes). 101 Airborne Division was hurriedly sent to Bastogne, a key hub which at all costs needed to stay in Allied hands.
Read the story: Combat route (3) >
Killed by friendly fire
Dormagen, April 13, 1945
On April 2 PIR 506 went to the front line in the Ruhr area, on the west bank of the Rhine. On April 13, Robert went with a GE combat patrol. They were observed by the Germans and shot. Easy company knew nothing of the patrol, thought that is was Germans crossing the Rhine and opened fire. With disastrous consequences ...
Read the story: Combat route (4) >
July 1943 (?)
Registration ARC
September 1943
to the UK
July 16, 1944
Landing on Utah Beach
March 15, 1945
Siegfriedlinie
May 1, 1945
Died on pleasure flight
June 19, 1945
Buried in Margraten, Block RR, Row 12 Grave 290
February 18, 1943
Air Evac. Nurse diploma
Jan. 15, 1944
Married
July 26, 1943
Body washed up
March - Augus 1943
Panama
June 1944
To Europa
November 23, 1943
Departure for Europa
January 20, 1944
Arriving in England
June 1944
Landing Omaha Beach
US enters the war
December 11, 1941
Nazi Germany declares war on the US
Turnaround WWII
Februari 2, 1943
Battle of Stalingrad: Red Army defeats Germans
Robert Watts
Killed by friendly fire
| Commencement in service date: | 1942 |
| In Europe: | September 5, 1943 |
| Participation War: | June 6, 1944 (D-Day) |
| Army Unit: |
Headquarters Intelligence Section S-2, 502 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101 Airborne Division |
| Rank: | Private First Class |
| Awards: |
Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster |
Paratrooper
In early 1942, Robert - 23 years
old - was drafted into the army.
On May 20 he enlisted in the army nearby in Fort
Devens, Massachussetts. On May 25
he arrived at Camp Bowie (Texas),
where he
received his basic military training.
His rank was Private First Class.
He then moved to Fort Benning (Georgia) and later to Fort Mackall (North Carolina) for training as a paratrooper.
To become a paratrooper meant a lot. The training was both physically and mentally very tough. Only half of the recruits who started completed the training.