George Watson ( Medal of Honor ) George Watson ( 1915 – March 8 , 1943 ) was a private in the United States Army who was killed in action during World War II . He was one of seven African - American soldiers to receive the Medal of Honor for their actions during World War II , and the only one of the seven to earn his medal while serving in the Pacific Theater . Biography . A resident of Birmingham , Alabama , he attended Colorado A & M ( now known as Colorado State University ) and graduated in 1942 . He entered the Army on September 1 , 1942 , and was a member of the 2nd Battalion , 29th Quartermaster Regiment . He was a passenger aboard the U . S . Army controlled chartered Dutch steamer " ' s Jacob " on March 8 , 1943 , which was near Porlock Harbor , New Guinea , when the ship was hit by Japanese bombers . When the ship was abandoned , Watson remained in the water and , instead of trying to save himself , assisted soldiers who could not swim into life rafts . Weakened by his exertions , he was dragged down by the suction of the sinking ship and drowned . His body was never recovered . For this action , Watson was originally awarded the Army ' s second - highest decoration , the Distinguished Service Cross . He was the first African American to receive the Distinguished Service Cross in World War II . The award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor in 1997 . During a ceremony conducted on January 13 of that year , President Bill Clinton bestowed the Medal of Honor on seven African - American veterans of World War II . Only one of the recipients , Vernon J . Baker , was still alive to receive his award in person . Awards and honors . Watson ' s military awards include the Medal of Honor , Purple Heart , Army Good Conduct Medal , Asiatic - Pacific Campaign Medal , and World War II Victory Medal . Watson had no known next of kin , so his medals are displayed in the U . S . Army Quartermaster Museum in Fort Lee , Virginia . Several places and structures have been named in Watson ' s honor , including a field in Fort Benning , Georgia , and , in 1997 , the United States Navy ship . The " Watson " is the lead ship of her class of large , medium - speed , roll - on / roll - off ( LMSR ) ships . Medal of Honor Citation . " The President of the United States of America , in the name of Congress , takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor ( Posthumously ) to Private George Watson , United States Army , for extraordinary heroism in action on 8 March 1943 , while serving with 29th Quarter Master Regiment , in action at Porloch Harbor , New Guinea . Private Watson was on board a ship which was attacked and hit by enemy bombers . When the ship was abandoned , Private Watson , instead of seeking to save himself , remained in the water assisting several soldiers who could not swim to reach the safety of the raft . This heroic action , which subsequently cost him his life , resulted in the saving of several of his comrades . Weakened by his exertions , he was dragged down by the suction of the sinking ship and was drowned . Private Watson ' s extraordinarily valorous actions , daring leadership , and self - sacrificing devotion to his fellow - man exemplify the finest traditions of military service . "