Thomas E. Watson (USMC)
| Thomas Eugene Watson | |
|---|---|
LtGen Thomas E. Watson
|
|
| Nickname(s) | "Terrible Tommy" |
| Born |
January 18, 1892 Oskaloosa, Iowa |
| Died | March 6, 1966 (aged 74) Panama Canal Zone |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Marine Corps
|
| Years of service | 1912–1950 |
| Rank |
 Lieutenant General
|
| Commands held |
2nd Battalion 6th Marines 3rd Marine Brigade 2nd Marine Division Fleet Marine Force, Pacific |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2) |
Lieutenant General Thomas Eugene Watson (January 18, 1892 – March 6, 1966) was a United States Marine Corps General who served in the Marine Corps from 1912 to 1950. His last command (January 1, 1948 – July 1, 1950) was as Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. Previously, he had commanded the Second Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and was Commanding Officer of the famed Second Division in the battle for Saipan and Tinian during World War II. For outstanding services in this capacity, he was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Distinguished Service Medal.
Thomas Eugune Watson was born on January 18, 1892, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He attended Penn College in Oskaloosa and on November 11, 1912, enlisted in the Marine Corps. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on October 20, 1916.
For the next three years he was a member of the Second Provisional Brigade in the Dominican Republic and on several occasions participated in engagements with bandits in that country.
He returned to the States in April 1919, but one year later was again on foreign shore duty. On this occasion with the Guardia Nacional of the Dominican Republic.
In 1924, the General returned to the States and was assigned to the Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California, where he was Commanding Officer of the Recruit Detachment and Officer-in-Charge, Drills and Instruction.
Three years later, in March 1927, he joined the Third Marine Brigade in China and saw service in Shanghai, Tientsin, and Hsin Ho.
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