Jimmy Watson
UT Track: 1963-1966, Manager
Military Experience: USMC; 1967 -1975; Captain; After completing The Basic School at Quantico and Flight School in Pensacola, Jimmy Watson went to Vietnam in November 1969 and flew helicopter missions there for about 13 months. A little more than five years later, on February 18, 1975, Captain Watson and three other Marines were killed in a helicopter crash at Camp Pendleton. The accident apparently occurred during a lead formation flight shift that caused an air collision.
Vietnam: November 1969 – January 1971, Assigned to NMH-361
MOS, Duties, Duty Stations: CH-53, Helicopter Pilot; Graduated from Officer’s Candidate School, Quantico, VA; Graduated from The Basic School, Quantico, VA; Graduated from Army Helicopter Training Program; HMH-363, Tustin, CA; HMT 301, Instructor, Tustin, CA
Medals: National Defense Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Air Medal
Comments from Obituary: Funeral arrangements are now complete for Capt. James Lloyd Watson, Jr., a former Clevelander, who was one of four airmen killed Tuesday in El Toro, California, after two large Marine helicopters collided in midair during a training flight near Santa Ana Marine Helicopter Base. Capt. Watson, whose wife, Sue Campbell Watson, is the daughter of the late Walter and Pauline Campbell, was a helicopter instructor at the Marine base. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Santa Ana, California. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens with full military honors.
Comments Submitted by Sue Watson Ogle (Jimmy’s Widow): Jimmy had great admiration and respect for Coach Rohe. He reinforced the proper work ethics that Jimmy had been taught by his parents. By working with Coach Rohe as a manager, he learned about the skills of being a good leader and being a team player, all of which are very important to an officer in the Marines. He was chosen to be the pilot for a General in Vietnam because of his ability to relate well to his superiors. The organization skills that were required to be a track manager carried over into his military jobs. Jimmy was very appreciative of the opportunity that Coach gave him to have this wonderful experience during his years at UT. I am sure if Jimmy were here today, he would love to have the opportunity to say “Thank you, Coach Rohe.”
Jimmy had great admiration and respect for Coach Rohe. He reinforced the proper work ethics that Jimmy had been taught by his parents. By working with Coach Rohe as a manager, he learned about the skills of being a good leader and being a team player, all of which are very important to an officer in the Marines.