TITLE: Directing the governor of the State of Texas to posthumously award the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to Master Sergeant Travis E. Watkins.

SUMMARY: Directing the governor of the State of Texas to posthumously award the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to Master Sergeant Travis E. Watkins.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor was established to recognize gallant and intrepid service by a member of the state or federal military forces, and U.S. Army Master Sergeant Travis E. Watkins proved himself a deserving recipient of this prestigious award for his heroism during the Korean War; and WHEREAS, Born in Waldo, Arkansas, Travis Watkins grew up in Troup, Texas; answering his nation's call to duty, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1939, and he served with distinction in the Pacific theater during World War II, earning the Bronze Star for his actions at Guadalcanal; after the war, he was honorably discharged, and in 1948, he married Madie Sue Barnett; the couple became the parents of two daughters; and WHEREAS, During the Korean War, Master Sergeant Watkins reenlisted, and he was deployed to Korea with Company H, Ninth Infantry Regiment, Second Infantry Division; on August 31, 1950, the company was stationed near Yongsan when an overwhelming North Korean force broke through the United Nations lines, and Sergeant Watkins and 30 other men found themselves under siege and cut off from the rest of their unit; and WHEREAS, Over the next three days, Sergeant Watkins displayed both remarkable leadership and extraordinary bravery; he took command, established perimeter defenses to repel the constant enemy assaults, and continually exposed himself to enemy fire by moving from foxhole to foxhole to give instructions and encouragement to his fellow soldiers; and WHEREAS, When the unit's ammunition began to run out, Sergeant Watkins shot two North Korean soldiers 50 yards beyond the perimeter and went out alone to retrieve their weapons and ammunition; he was wounded while doing so, but still managed to fell all three of his enemy attackers; he collected their weapons and ammunition as well and made it back to his astonished men; and WHEREAS, Later, six of the enemy began to lob grenades into the American perimeter, endangering the position; Sergeant Watkins stood up from his foxhole and fired his rifle at the attackers; he was immediately struck by machine gun fire, but he continued shooting until he had killed all six North Koreans; he then collapsed, paralyzed from the waist down; and WHEREAS, Despite his grave injuries, Sergeant Watkins continued to encourage his men, refusing to accept any food from their dwindling supply; when it became clear that help would not arrive in time, he ordered his men to withdraw, and he further refused to let them take him with them, since his inability to walk would only slow their retreat; in the last moments of his life, he wished his comrades luck and remained at his post until the end; he died two days before his 30th birthday; and WHEREAS, Sergeant Watkins's leadership throughout this ordeal helped to keep his men alive and enabled his troops to mount a strong defense that killed approximately 500 enemy soldiers; in recognition of his monumental courage, President Harry S. Truman posthumously awarded him the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military award; the medal was presented to his wife in a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on January 9, 1951; and WHEREAS, In the years since, Sergeant Watkins has been further honored in the state he called home; a housing complex at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio was named in his memory in 1961, and the Watkins-Logan State Veterans Home in Tyler was also named in his honor in 2011; in 2000 a supply ship, the USNS Watkins,was christened in his name; his remains are interred at Gladewater Memorial Park in Gladewater; and WHEREAS, During a desperate situation in a time of war, Master Sergeant Travis Watkins took command, bolstered the spirits of his men, and repeatedly risked his life in their behalf, making the ultimate sacrifice in order that they might survive; for this selfless act of heroism, it is indeed appropriate that he be honored with this state's supreme military commendation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby direct the governor of the State of Texas to posthumously award the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to Travis E. Watkins in recognition of his valiant service during the Korean War. Dean President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 122 was adopted by the House on May 9, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 142, Nays 0, 2 present, not voting. Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 122 was adopted by the Senate on May 19, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: Date Governor