[Sidebar (page 9):]Department of Defense Photo (USMC) 303240MajorGeneral Thomas E. Watson, as a brigadier general and commander of Tactical Group-1, built on the 22d Marines, led his men in the conquest of Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands in February 1944. For this he was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal, and the 22d Marines was awarded a Navy Unit Commendation.He took command of the 2d Marine Division in April 1944. In June he directed his men in the conquest of Saipan and then Tinian, receiving a second DSM.Retirement came in 1950, and he died in March 1966, as a lieutenant general.With a birth date of 1892, and an enlistment date of 1912, he fully qualified as a member of “the Old Corps.” After being commissioned in 1916, he served in a variety of Marine assignments in the Caribbean, China, and the United States.Given the nickname “Terrible Tommy,” Watson’s proverbial impatience later was characterized by General Wallace M. Greene, Jr., as follows: “He would not tolerate for one minute stupidity, laziness, professional incompetence, or failure in leadership.... His temper in correcting these failings could be fiery and monumental,” as both Marine and Army officers found out at Eniwetok and later Saipan!
[Sidebar (page 9):]
Department of Defense Photo (USMC) 303240
Department of Defense Photo (USMC) 303240
Department of Defense Photo (USMC) 303240
MajorGeneral Thomas E. Watson, as a brigadier general and commander of Tactical Group-1, built on the 22d Marines, led his men in the conquest of Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands in February 1944. For this he was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal, and the 22d Marines was awarded a Navy Unit Commendation.
He took command of the 2d Marine Division in April 1944. In June he directed his men in the conquest of Saipan and then Tinian, receiving a second DSM.
Retirement came in 1950, and he died in March 1966, as a lieutenant general.
With a birth date of 1892, and an enlistment date of 1912, he fully qualified as a member of “the Old Corps.” After being commissioned in 1916, he served in a variety of Marine assignments in the Caribbean, China, and the United States.
Given the nickname “Terrible Tommy,” Watson’s proverbial impatience later was characterized by General Wallace M. Greene, Jr., as follows: “He would not tolerate for one minute stupidity, laziness, professional incompetence, or failure in leadership.... His temper in correcting these failings could be fiery and monumental,” as both Marine and Army officers found out at Eniwetok and later Saipan!