Veterans History Project

The Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.

Floyd Watson Jr. came from a family consisting of his parents and six children. The family lived in Durham, North Carolina. Floyd was an athlete in his high school years (football and track) and went on to college to learn and to play football. College life was good and going as planned until Floyd was injured. Dang!

Floyd had considered going into the military and was kinda checking it out, then on an impulse, he went into the Air Force recruiter's office in his home town, Durham, NC. The recruiter provided information that sounded good to Floyd on a Friday afternoon. Then the recruiter asked, "how soon do you want to go into the Air Force?" Floyd said he was ready right now! Well, let's wait until Monday, anyway!

After taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) of tests, Floyd went home. As the evening meal was taken, Floyd mentioned that he had joined the Air Force.

Floyd's father was more than flummoxed! A comment made at a meal would change the family dynamic forever. In not much time, Floyd's father asked when was the date for leaving... "Monday". Gulp! He had to report to the Induction Center in Raleigh, NC. to get the physical examination, and when he passed... he would take the oath and would be in the Air Force.

Floyd got an airplane ticket to fly from Raleigh to San Antonio, TX then a quick trip on to Lackland Air Force Base. The plane arrived at about 0400. Floyd and others were met by the "B" team who got the men into a barracks for the rest of the night.

The next morning, Floyd heard calls from the other airmen..."here come the rainbows!" meaning that the new inductees were there in a variety of civilian clothing that was not uniform. So they went to the Clothing Issue Point (CIP) where they were handed a big duffle bag and told to shuffle sideways down the line and get the bag filled up. In doing so, Floyd arrived at the slacks station and said "34 inch waist, 32 inch inseam". The guy said "What?" Then handed Floyd some slacks and told him "here!". The men got their bags-full-of-uniforms and marched back to their barracks.

The NCO In Charge (NCOIC) asked for volunteers to lead the others. A unit cannot move from point A to point B without a leader! Two volunteered. Floyd, and a man that was 6'4 and 220. The NCO said you two work it out. Floyd told the other trainee that he, Floyd, would be in charge, and that the other man would be his assistant. Agreed!

In sequence, the rainbow look went away... now Floyd, form the platoon up and take them to the barber shop! OK... when it was Floyds turn... he asked them to take a little off the top... zip, zip, zip...done! NEXT!

Now, the group marched back to their barracks and it was time for the NCOIC (TI) to talk to the new people. First, you have to shave every day. It doesn't matter if there is peach fuzz, you shave. Your bunk will be made exactly like this...(demonstration, see the quarter bounce off the bunk?) ... your shoes/boots will be highly shined... your foot lockers will look like this. "Got it?" "yes Sir!"

The next morning, Floyd marched his platoon to the mess hall (dining facility). Before they went in, the TI told Floyd that when he (the TI) put his hat on, the meal was over. If one was at the front of the line, it was ok. The guys at the last of the line didn't get much to eat! Floyd took charge of this situation later... he told the guys to eat while you're going through the line. "drink that milk down, eat bread", just keep moving and eating, you'll be ok!" Don't be the last in line here...

When the trainees returned to their barracks, they were told "fall out". Inside all the bunks had been upset, foot lockers emptied on the floor, and the place was a mess. Since Floyd was the leader, he assessed the problem. The bunks weren't made correctly, shoes weren't shined, the latrine was not clean. Okay, here's what we'll do: the guys who shine shoes real well will shine the shoes of the guys that make the bunks to specifications but can't shine shoes. The guys who make bunks well, get their shoes shined. It was an impromptu course of action. The plan worked!

The TI didn't have a problem with an unfit living area from that time forward. The training became a competition with other barracks of trainees. Every Saturday, "trainee games" were held. All the items of the physical fitness test plus some throw-ins made up the competition. Floyd and his peers always won!

During this time, Floyd had a chance to reflect how good this was for him. He had a good position in the new group. He was getting the guys to know one another and to work together as a team. This was also the first time in Floyd's life that he had three pair of brand new shoes that were his alone. Floyd loved his shoes and shined them beyond shiney! He had his own bed that he didn't have to share with anyone. He had three meals a day of good food. Here's a happy young man!

Basic training ended and it was time to move on to each person's Technical School. Floyd and several others loaded onto a military bus and headed for Amarillo, TX. When they arrived, they found out about lots of snow. Floyd continued to show his leadership skills. He was re-appointed as group leader. He managed his men in the same successful manner as before. In a short time, the assignments for the first tour of duty came out.

Floyd's orders directed him to be a supply assistant at Naha Air Force Base, Okinawa. But first, he was allowed leave to go home to Durham.

In an effort to save money, Floyd opted to take a bus from Amarillo to Durham. He saved some but the bus stopped at every little village along the way...the trip took forever! He became nauseated and threw up all the way across Oklahoma. Floyd hasn't been on a bus since.

Finally, he arrived at the bus depot and to the open arms of his family! After spending time and catching up with all the family, it was time to get from North Carolina to California. Taking the train was the best way to go. All Floyds parents and relatives knew Floyd's favorite foods...cornbread, chicken, greens, chocolate cake, coconut cake, sweet potato pie, biscuits... when it was time to board the train, Floyd was given a large box-full of home-cooked food. With his duffle bag plus the food, it was a chore to get on the train.

Real soon, as the train headed west, three Marines smelled that food. Floyd willingly shared it with the others. They ate good and the ride to San Francisco was great! From Travis Air Force Base, Floyd embarked on the longest flight of his new career. The plane went to Hawaii, then Guam, then Okinawa.

Floyd went to work on the flight line. At this point, one is a "hay, you". He did all the tasks to the best of his ability. Their living quarters were similar to dormatories. Here, Floyd was introduced to typhoon tape. Even though instructed on how and where to use the tape, the guys messed up. When the first typhoon hit, water came through the cracks in the windows, and water several inches deep, pooled in their room.

As each combat and cargo plane landed at their base, Floyd's job was to get the parts needed for each plane, should they need replaced. Floyd started on the day shift. He would work until about 1400, then went to football practice as he was on a base team. From 1800 to 2030, he attended college classes as well. Its quite an expectation of a junior airman. Floyd was shifted to the overnight work which made it easier.

A significant piece of the athletic competition was the connections the athletes made among themselves. Soon, if a part was needed at Naha Base, and it wasn't available, Floyd knew the parts guy at another base that did have the part. The part arrived in a timely manner and the plane was mission-ready.

Floyd and a few other airmen got some leave time. Arrangements were made and they flew to Tokyo. It was for three or four days. The men got a pre-briefing that included "don't embarrass the Air Force..." While out on the town, someone in their group ordered an item that was actually a bug crawling on the plate. Floyd refused to eat the thing. The others finally convinced him that if he ate it and washed it down with Saki, it would be okay. When they left the establishment, Floyd had to empty his bladder. As the group walked along, Floyd noticed a man relieving hmself in a nearby alley. Floyd figured that must be OK so he took advantage of the situation. Floyd was busted. The Military Police could have made it a miserable night for him, but they sternly warned him not to let that happen again...whew!

This tour of duty in Okinawa ended and Floyd went back to the "States" . Soon he was sent to Pope Air Force Base near For Bragg, NC. His home wasn't that far away and Floyd was again just fine! His assignment here kept the supply activity at it's peak and the duty was good, especially that he got to go to his hometown regurlarly.

The time frame is now about 1963. Floyd's initial commitment is over. He decided to get out of the Air Force. He had signed all the papers, packed his "stuff", enrolled in college and was on the way out the door. He received word that the Commander wanted to see him... After Floyd presented himself, the Commander told him congratulations but he had been involuntarily extended due to the Cuban Missle crisis. Floyd had to undo his plans and, not having a choice in the matter, marched on.

As that entire year came to an end, Floyd was faced with another decision, stay or leave. He was told that the Air Force offered a $2,000 cash re-enlistment bonus. Floyd went to the personnel office and found it to be true. Floyd re-enlisted! He walked to his dorm room carrying $2,000.00 cash. He hurried, looking every direction in case he would be raided. When he got to his room, he double locked himself in and brought out the money. He had never seen or felt that much money, ever. He unwrapped it and tossed it into the air, letting it cascade around him. Then he picked it up and did it again and again. A happy man!

On his second four year enlistment, Floyd was a developing member of the Air Force. Any task he was given, he could do it. He continues to play inter-service football as well. When a young man likes and gets good at his work, plus networks with others to accomplish missions, there isn't much that can't be done! Floyd had been courting a young woman as well. They married and life continued getting better.

There were racially-driven rubs along the way. Floyd had a supervisor who was determined to let Floyd know that the white race was superior. Clearly the man was over the top in his actions. There was a rally of the KKK near the area of the Air Base. It was a good sized rally. The day after the rally, Floyd approached the supervicor and told him there was a shortage of 300 sheets in the laundry..." did you give them to your friends at the rally, Sarge?" Floyd thought it was funny but the Sgt. didn't enjoy the humor...

Floyd worked hard at every task he was given. In addition, he was a hard charging athlete and a member of the Honor Guard for the base. Racism had not gone away though. Floyd heard that was promoted to Staff Sergeant. He was contacted by a clerk who told him to report to the Commander's office. Floyd complied. The Commander made a couple of implied remarks to rile Floyd, then he took an official roster from his desk and said..." here is a promotion list and this name Watson, Floyd...?" then with a red marker, drew a line through Floyd's name, removing him from the list.

Floyd lost it that day. After raising his voice to the officer, Floyd got on the man's desk, lowered his slacks, turned around and recommended that the man do a "smooch" so to speak. Floyd calmed down enough to go on home where he told his wife what had happened. He told her he would just wait until the base police came...his career was over. No police, no repercussions! The next day was like nothing happened!

Floyd took another overseas tour to Clark Air Force Base, Phillipine Islands. This one year tour was another stop along the way. Next was redeployment to the States. Floyd returned to the East Coast and was informed that he had been hand-picked to his next station at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Cheyenne, WY.

Floyd reported in at Warren AFB in July that year. It was true cultural shock to see officers and senior ranking NCOs walking around in jeans and cowboy hats. There was a big parade with costumes and horses... Frontier Days was in full swing. Floyd kinda started to like it. He called his wife and advised her she and the kids were moving to ... Wyoming. In not much time, Floyd moved his family more than half way across the country.

Floyd took good care of his work in the supply area then became a Career Counselor. His office was the last stop before someone left the Air Force. His job was to re-enlist them and save careers.

In the mid-seventies, Floyd was detailed to Thailand where he was the NCO in charge of closing down US Air Force bases that had been used in the Viet Nam was. He was part of a team that went from site to site (6), making the final decisions, removing the last pieces of US military property, and locking the doors. More assignments ensued, usually at places around the globe.

Floyd returned the Warren AFB. He knew that his oldest son was going to graduate from High School in Cheyenne. Floyd promised his son that he would be there for that event. He turned down six great additional pieces of work so that he would keep that promise.

Floyd became the First Sergeant at Warren Air Force Base. He earned this position and worked very hard to keep it. He was a Senior Master Sergeant (E-8). The culture shock of being in Wyoming was long past.

Floyd retired but stayed involved. He began attending meetings of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). After working hard in various positions there, he is now the Adjutant for the Wyoming DAV. He also coordinates the travel so that Veterans can get to the VAMC from outlying communities.

Senior Master Sergeant, Adjutant, Floyd Watson, you have accomplished much and have performed splendidly! Thank you for your service!