Franklin-Sandusky County OhArchives Biographies.....Watts, Donald November 3, 1918 - February 17, 2001 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/oh/ohfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Warren Watts WattsHawaii@aol.com April 5, 2005, 7:54 am Author: Warren L. Watts Donald Pershing Watts comes from pioneer stock of Franklin County, OH. His 2nd great grandfather, John Watts, was in the War of 1812, and came to Franklin County, OH from the Albany area, NY, in 1812. His great grandfather, William Watts, and grandfather, Lester Adin Watts, were also life long residents of Franklin County. Other Watts pioneer relatives in Franklin County area include surnames Goetschius, Chambers, Johnson, Alkire, Gantz, Goldsmith, Borror, White, Story, and Courtney. Donald was born Nov 3, 1843, to Jacob Lester and Lillian (Story) Watts, in Briggsdale, OH. Donald grew up and resided in Franklin County until he graduated from high school. After graduation from West High School in 1936, Donald entered the United States Army and after over twenty-eight (28) years in the military retired in 1972 as Deputy Post Commander at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. He served in combat during World War II and the Korean War. During World War II (1942-1946), Donald served in combat as a First Lieutenant Platoon Leader and Reconnaissance Officer for an Anti-Tank Company, 143rd Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, which saw combat in Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe. During the Korean War (1951 - 1953), he served in combat as an infantry Captain with the Ninth Infantry Regiment Manchu's and held various assignments: Company Comander, 9th Inf HV Mortar and Dog Company; Operations Officer of an Infantry Battalion, 9th Manchu Regiment, and Executive Officer of an Infantry Battalion, 9th Manchu Regiment. He and his men saw combat at the infamous "Pork Chop" Hill, "Old Baldy", and T-Bone Hill. In 1981, Colonel Watts and his wife, Mary Louise, returned to South Korea at the invitation of the South Korean Government where he was awarded "The Ambassador of Peace" Award by Korean Vice Admiral Maeng Kee Lee, ROKN (Retired), and President of the Korean Veteran's Association. After the war (1953-1959), Donald returned to Cleveland, OH as Operations Officer and advisor to the 45th United States Army Reserve Units. He also organized the National Rifle Matches at Camp Perry, OH. Between 1959 until his retirement in 1970, Donald served in a variety of positions: Comptroller at Command Headquarters in Augsburg, Germany (1959- 1962); Battalion Commander, at Fort Ord, CA (1962-1965); Military Advisor to the Military Assistance Command in Ethiopia (1965-1967); Operations, Training, and Intelligence Officer, at Post Headquarters in Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN; and Deputy Post Commander, Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN (1969-1970). Upon his retirement in 1970, COL Watts became one of Indianapolis' prominent citizens. He was hired by two of this country's top cardio-vascular heart surgeons to form a medical corporation, which, after 25 years, became one of the first and most successful cardio-vascular medical corporations in the country, Cardiovascular Surgical Services, Inc. As their Executive Manager, COL Watts started at the ground floor and develolped the corporation into a multi-million dollar medical practice with over 30 practicing cardiovascular surgeons and consultants. He also mentored other doctors in the medical profession during the planning and execution phases of their medical corporations. As a result, other entrepreneurs in the business community often called upon him for mentoring, even after his retirement from his second career in 1994, at the age of 75. Colonel Watts was married to another Ohio native, Mary Louise Swint of Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio for 60 years. They had 8 children, 23 grandchildren, and 8 grandchildren. All four of his sons (Warren Lee, Paul Richard, Stephen Charles, and James Michael, entered the military service, are Vietnam Veterans, graduated from Indiana University, and are successful in their own right. His four daughters (Sandra Jean, Patricial Ann, Janice Marie, and Kathleen Diane) are all married, have grown children, and are also established contributors to their community. His eldest daughter, Sandra Jean, has been the Chairman of Red Cross Volunteers of Greater Indianapolis for 25 years and has been recognized at the local and national levels for her outstanding volunteer services throughout her 25 years as a full time non-paid member of this great organization. During their 50th and 60th Wedding Anniversary, all children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and relatives from both sides of the family paid tribute to their mother and father. During this tribute, Colonel Watts confessed that the real General in the Watts Clan was their mother, Mary Louise, who raised all eight children single handedly throughout the years while he was off fighting two wars and overseas and/or out of town on unaccompanied assignments in his military career. Colonel Watts attended the 50th Anniversary of West High Shcool's Class of 1936 and made many generous contribution to his Alumni Association throughout the years. On February 14, 2001, Colonel Watts died from a year long struggle with cancer. His only surviving sibling is his sister, Jean Watts Perry, 80 years young, who resides in Bradenton, Florida, and is a 1938 graduate of West High School in Columbus, OH. In 1936, Colonel Watts was one of the five (Don Watts, Jean Frank, Ozzie Simmons, Forest Hatfield, and Marian Brandenberger) West High School wrestler who won the championship in every weight division they entered in their respective weights and were awarded individual metal trophies for their excellent work. The team amassed a total of 107 points against 38 for the opposiition in city competition. Colonel Watts was a devout converted Catholic, a staunch Republican, and highly respected in both the military and civilian communities. In 1995, Indiana Governor Evan Bayh, Indianapolis Mayor Stephen Goldsmith, and Lawrence Mayor Thomas Schneider, recognized COL Watts, for his distinguished service as a member of the Fort Harrison Transition Team. Other Fraternal, Patriotic and Service Organizations that Colonel Watts belonged to were: Past President, Fremont, Ohio Junior Chamber of Commerce; Past President, Lions Club; Former Leading Knight, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge #1209; Former Member Board of Directors, Sandusky County Red Cross Chapter; Director, 1948 Sandusky County American Red Cross Fund Campaign; Past President, Sandusky County Youth Council; Former District Chairman, Federal Housing ASdministration Rent Control Board; District Coordinator, President's Council on Youth Opportunity; Former Justice of the Piece, Ballville Township, Sandusky County, Fremont, OH; Member, Veterans of Foreigh War's and the American Legion; Recipient of WTTV's "500 Festival" Volunteer of the Year Award for 1969; Former Member of the Board, Fort Harrison Transition Task Force, 1993-1995; Former Member of Senator Dan Coats Service Academy Board 1977-1998; and Past President of the Exchange Club, Lawrence, Indiana 1977-1998. 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