Albert “Al” Watson

During the 1967-1968 academic year, few ROTC cadets doubted they were training for duty in Vietnam. Eastern Washington State College had the third-largest ROTC program in the nation. That program would produce one of the finest leaders to wear the U.S. Army uniform, Albert “Al” Watson.

Al was part of Eastern ROTC while he was earning his bachelor’s degree in education. After graduating in March 1968, Al received his Regular Army commission in the infantry. His first assignment was platoon leader, Company A, 2nd Battalion (mechanized) 11th Infantry, Fort Carson, Colorado. The next stop was Vietnam in February 1969 to serve as a platoon leader, executive officer, aide-de-camp, and assistant brigade S-3 in the 199th Light Infantry Brigade.

In 1970, he returned to the U.S., where he would spend eight years in numerous assignments, including company commander, company flight operations officer, platoon flight commander, plans and operations officer, and assistant professor of military science at South Carolina State College. In 1978, Col. Watson resigned his Regular Army commission and accepted a commission in the U.S. Army Reserves. Before he retired in 1995, Al served as an aide-de-camp company commander, battalion commander, director of 104th Division Leadership Academy, and director of officer courses at 6229th Army Reserve School.

The highly decorated American leader earned the Bronze Star with V device and three Oak Leaves, Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaves, Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaves, Air Medal with numeral 10, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf, National Defense Service Medal with Star, Vietnam Service Medal with five campaign stars, Army Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 clasp, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Army Aviator Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, and Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster. Now he is the recipient of the 2014 EWU Distinguished Alumni Award for Exceptional Military Service. Congratulations, Al, and thank you for your service.