Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Ferre
Charles
Watkins
January 24, 1893

–

September 3, 1966

Cemetery:

Park Hill Cemetery and Mausoleum

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    356th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    November 10, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 43 (1922)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Infantry) Ferre C. Watkins, United States Army, is cited for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. First Lieutenant (Infantry) Watkins distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 356th Infantry Regiment, 89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Beaumont, France, 10 November 1918. At the crossing of the Meuse River, when his company commander was struck down by a high explosive shell, Lieutenant Watkins unhesitatingly assumed command of the company, led it forward in the assault wave against terrific shell fire, which caused the loss of half the battalion’s enlisted personnel and all except four of its officers, gained the objective, and consolidated his position.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    356th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    November 4, 1918
    Decorations U.S. Army, Supplement II, 1939

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Ferre Charles Watkins, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 356th Infantry Regiment, 89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Pouilly, France, 4 November 1918. Lieutenant Watkins, after having voluntarily performed similar missions of night patrol on the three preceding nights, displayed exceptional courage and initiative when he again voluntarily led a patrol whose mission it was to penetrate the enemy lines, force its way to the Meuse River and report upon the condition of the bridge at Pouilly, France. While penetrating the line of the enemy outposts, they were subjected to heavy enemy fire, at which time nearly half of the patrol was killed or wounded. Lieutenant Watkins, before returning to his post, recovered all of the wounded and obtained information vital to the plans of the division.