Elmer Watson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
June 19, 1908
Elmer S. Watson | |
|---|---|
 Watson circa 1957 | |
| Majority Leader of the Connecticut State Senate | |
| In office 1957–1959 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Elmer Stiles Watson June 19, 1908 |
| Died | November 24, 1971 (aged 63) |
| Education | University of Connecticut (BS) |
| Occupation | Army officer, politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | US Army, National Guard |
| Years of service | 1930–1951 |
| Rank |  Major general |
| Unit | 43rd Infantry Division |
| Commands | Connecticut State Guard |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Munda Point |
Elmer Stiles Watson (June 19, 1908 – November 24, 1971) was an American military officer and politician who served as majority leader of the Connecticut State Senate from 1957 to 1959. Following graduation from high school, he took a job at his brother's insurance agency. He also joined the Connecticut National Guard and served with the United States Army in World War II. He remained with the Connecticut National Guard after the war and served as its commanding officer from 1949 to 1951.
A Republican, Watson served as commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles from 1947 to 1949. He subsequently served four terms in the Connecticut State Senate representing the 4th District from 1951 to 1959, acting as the Republican majority leader his last term. He acted as a member of the board of trustees of the University of Connecticut in his later life and died in 1971.
Watson was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on June 19, 1908, to parents George I. and Mabel (Avery) Watson. He graduated from Weaver High School in 1925 and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Connecticut Agricultural College in 1929. He played baseball, reported for The Daily Campus, served on the rifle team for four years and as team captain for two years, and commanded his ROTC battalion during his senior year.[1]
Immediately after graduation, Watson joined the Hartford-based Arthur A. Watson and Company insurance agency, founded in 1929 by his brother Arthur A. Watson. Elmer Watson eventually rose to senior partner.[1]
Military service
Watson enlisted in the Connecticut National Guard as a second lieutenant in 1930.[2] During World War II, he served with the United States Army's 43rd Infantry Division as a lieutenant colonel and operations officer on the division general staff. Shot in both legs when Japanese warplanes machine-gunned his position at Munda in 1943,[3] he received the Legion of Merit, a Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal with two battle stars and one bronze arrowhead, the American Campaign Medal, and the American Defense Medal.[2] After recuperating, he taught at the Army and Navy Staff College and retired in 1945 as a full colonel.[4][5]
Exiting the US Army, Watson remained in the National Guard. He attained the rank of brigadier general and commanded the Connecticut State Guard from 1949 to 1951.[6] He retired as a major general.[1]