<p><em>John William Watson</em> was born in Columbus, MS. He was the son of John W. Watson Sr., a farmer, and Helen Caine Watson, a school teacher. Although he was an only child, John formed close relationships with his cousins, which would span a lifetime. He felt lucky to have grown up in a loving, faith-filled family and community.<br />Upon completion of high school at age 17, John enlisted in the U.S. Army. After serving for two years, he obtained an appointment to West Point. At the end of his third year, John met his future wife, Marie Sheila Morrison of Boston. In later years, they would reflect back on many happy memories of their courtship at West Point. John married Marie shortly after graduation. Fifteen days later the Korean War commenced, and John was sent to Korea as a forward observer in the 7th Infantry Division.<br />John’s unit participated in the Inchon Landing and subsequently made its way to the Yalu River in North Korea. When the Chinese entered the war, there was an evacuation at Hamhung/Hungnam. After returning to Pusan on Christmas 1950, John’s unit was sent forward to meet the Chinese offensive. John was then attached to the ROK Infantry Division as a forward observer.<br />On February 12, 1951, overwhelming numbers of Chinese troops overran the division at Hoengsong. John was surrendered with others. The prisoners were marched at night and attempted to sleep during the day. They were crowded into caves, tunnels, and unheated huts. Memories of the deaths, starvation, beriberi, dysentery and grueling nightly marches over mountainous trails would remain with John for the remainder of his life. Eventually, they reached the infamous “Bean Camp,” where some 25 men died every day.<br />The Bean Camp was bombed by friendly fire in April 1951, and the 1,200 remaining POWs were marched farther north. Two hundred of the prisoners finally reached the Yalu River and were held there. At one point in his captivity, John came close to dying from beriberi, dysentery, and starvation. He often wondered how it was that he managed to survive when so many of his brothers in arms died. He never forgot the staggering loss of lives, nor the thousands of men who were unaccounted for. John held them close to his heart and never forgot their sacrifices. He lived to tell their stories.<br />After 31 months as a POW, the war ended, and John was repatriated. He returned to Marie and their daughter, Deborah, who had been born a month after John was captured. During their many cherished years as an Army family, John and Marie were blessed with the birth of four more daughters: Jan, Pamela, Diane, and Lisa. They enjoyed assignments in Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia, New Jersey, Alaska, Colorado, Taiwan, Massachusetts and Saudi Arabia. John’s proudest day in the Army was when he received his wings as a paratrooper.<br />After retiring from the Army, John served the state of Massachusetts as a vocational rehabilitation counselor. Upon retiring from that job, he became a licensed practical nurse. Still later, after studying for four years at the seminary, John was ordained as a permanent deacon in the Catholic Church. As a deacon, he was able to officiate at weddings, baptize, read the Gospel at Mass, and preach sermons.<br />After ordination, John was fittingly assigned by the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston to be the permanent deacon at the Bedford VA Hospital. While there, he assisted priests at Mass and brought Communion to ward patients. The patients always looked forward to John’s uplifting visits, his kind words and warm smile. John’s wife, Marie, worked tirelessly by his side during those 20 years. Both felt that they had received many blessings in life. Volunteering was their way of giving back.<br />John and Marie lived for 30 years in Lexington, MA. John took particular pride in Lexington’s rich historical heritage and enjoyed escorting families and friends along the famous Freedom Trail. He relished New England’s beautiful four seasons and celebrated holidays with joy. John and Marie later moved to Billerica, MA, where John was active in the Korean War Veterans and DAV groups. He assisted in building a wonderful Korean War Memorial for the town. John also marched in local parades featuring the military. Even in his later years, he cut a handsome figure in his uniform, as fit and trim as he was in his West Point days.<br />John was above all a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He took enormous pride in his beloved wife, five daughters, 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. John and Marie traveled extensively around the world during their retirement years. Their favorite trips, however, were to visit their daughters and their families living both near and far.<br />John loved to regale his children and grandchildren with stories of his West Point cadet years. He never forgot the close bonds he formed with his classmates. He prayed for any who were ill and mourned those deceased. With John’s passing, the Long Gray Line salutes another of its truest sons. John will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate to know him. Well done, John Watson. Be thou finally at peace.</p>