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Mark Watson among 5,076 American soldiers buried in Luxembourg Military Cemetery

By Rose Hooper
Grave The body of Staff Sgt. Roy Glenn "Mark" Watson lies in plot H, row 2, grave 70 in Luxembourg American Cemetery. Although Mark Watson's body lies among the 5,076 soldiers buried at Hamm Military Cemetery in Luxembourg, Herb Schulman feels like he has "brought him back home to Jackson County."

Schulman, who served in the National Guard, was researching a cousin killed during World War II when he learned of Watson.

When Schulman's Forest Hills neighbors Elmer and Irene Hooper recently visited the vast cemetery, they were unable to locate Watson's grave among the 5,076 white cross headstones. One grave there easily located is that of Gen. George Patton, whose grave rests between two flagpoles, they said upon their return.

Through his research, Schulman obtained a picture of Watson's grave and its precise location - plot H, row 2, grave 70.

"It's like we found him again," Schulman said as he shared his grave site pictures with the Hoopers and others. "It makes this Veterans Day, Nov. 11, a very special day for us."

A staff sergeant in the 3rd Army's 302nd Infantry Regiment, Roy Glenn "Mark" Watson was killed in action during World War II on March 7, 1945.

Those who frequent Mark Watson Park in Sylva recognize this name.

The athletic field at Sylva High School was also named in honor of Watson, who coached there for four years. During his years as a student at Sylva Collegiate Institute, the young athlete played basketball and baseball.

Annie Nell Rector of Dillsboro called Watson "one of the best men I ever knew." Her late husband, Clyde, played football under him, even following him to Edenton High School when Watson moved there to coach.

"Mark was a man who lived by his principles; he was very well respected," said Rector.

At the dedication ceremony Oct. 12, 1945, when the field was named after him, speakers during the program referred to Watson as "always setting the example of fair play and was the ideal of every boy and girl on the teams."

Watson gave up his career as teacher and coach to enter the service in December 1943. Going oversees in August 1944, he saw action in France, Belgium and Germany before being killed in action in Germany.

According to Schulman's research, Watson's infantry division, supported by heavy artillery and air support, attacked to breach the West Wall switch-line defenses and clear the Bert-Munzingen Highway. It then followed the 10th Armed Division and cleared the Saar-Moselle Triangle below Orscholz and Saarburg. The division assaulted across the Sarr, in spite of strong German opposition. The infantrymen crossed opposite Serrig to establish the Serrig-Taben Bridgehead.

Heavy fighting continued and the division expanded to the northeast to protect the 10th Armed Division drive on Trier and to strengthen the combined Saarburg Bridgehead. A German counterattack March 5 against the 302nd penetrated its lines, forcing the division to restore its front and clear infiltrators out of the bridgehead.

In one instance, Sgt. Watson, exposing himself and ignoring the fierce fire from enemy machine guns and small arms, crawled closed enough to throw two grenades to destroy the gun and force the surrender of 15 Germans.

For his "gallantry and courage displayed in action," Sgt. Watson was posthumously awarded both the Silver Star and the Bronze Medal. They were presented to his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. L.T. Watson, during the athletic field dedication ceremony six months after his death.

Back to Archive: 11/07/02.