[Ralph J. Watson oral history interview (Part 3 of 4)]

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[Ralph J. Watson oral history interview (Part 3 of 4)]
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Title

[Ralph J. Watson oral history interview (Part 3 of 4)]

Description

In this four-part oral history, fighter ace Ralph J. “Doc” Watson discusses his military service with the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. In part three, he continues to describe his combat tours with the 48th Fighter Squadron and the 5th Fighter Squadron in the European and Mediterranean Theaters. Topics discussed include conditions and military life in North Africa, his experiences with various aircraft, notable combat missions, and stories about fellow servicemen.

The interview is conducted by fellow fighter ace Eugene A. Valencia.

Date

1960s circa

Extent

1 sound reel (30 min., 48 sec.) : analog ; 1/4 in

Language

Rights

Bibliographic Citation

The American Fighter Aces Association Oral Interviews/The Museum of Flight

Identifier

2002-02-13_AV_192_01
2002-02-13_AV_192_01_transcription

Interviewee

Interviewer

Biographical Text

Ralph J. “Doc” Watson was born on May 31, 1916 in Otway, Ohio. He joined the United States Army Air Corps in 1937 and, in 1939, passed the college-equivalency exam to qualify for the Aviation Cadet program. Completing his flight training in February 1941, Watson initially served with the 20th Fighter Group before being deployed to Europe as a member of the 48th Fighter Squadron, 14th Fighter Group. He flew missions over mainland Europe until November 1942, when his squadron was sent to North Africa as part of Operation Torch. He subsequently served at advance bases in Algeria and Tunisia, then returned to the United States to serve as an instructor for a training squadron. In June 1944, Watson began his second combat tour, this time as commander of the 5th Fighter Squadron of the 52nd Fighter Group. He flew missions over Italy, Romania, Germany, and other areas of the Mediterranean and European Theaters. After the end of World War II, Watson went on to serve as Senate liaison for the Secretary of the Air Force. He retired as a colonel in 1957, then worked as a lobbyist for North American Aviation and Rockwell International. Watson passed away in 2001.

Note

This recording is presented in its original, unedited form. Please note that some interviews in this collection may contain adult language, racial slurs, and/or graphic descriptions of wartime violence.