17 Aug 2005 Today, August 17, 2005, marks the 37th anniversary of the date in which you gave the supreme and ultimate sacrifice for our Country. You served honorably and died gallantly on the field of battle. I was honored to have shared that field of battle with you. You were a member of the "HARD LUCK PLATOON" of Alpha 1/27. That monicker was given to the platoon because it was always being hit by the enemy. You were only 18 years old, like many others, so young, yet so brave. You handled the PRC-25 radio quite well and knew how to call in med-evacs and fire missions on command. Your map reading skills were very good. You were a TRUE MARINE. The NVA ambushed your patrol from across the river. By the time reinforcements arrived, it was too late. Rest In Peace, Bro. From a platoonmate, Arturo Garza sgteseusmc@yahoo.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall An 18-year-old South Philadelphia Marine who won the Bronze Star for heroism when he led his patrol out of an ambush in April was killed in Vietnam, the Defense Department reported Tuesday. Marine Pfc. Theartis Watts Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Theartis Watts Sr., of 1027 S. Dorrance st., died of wounds of the head and body received August 17, according to a telegram received by his parents. Pfc. Watts enlisted in the Corps June 1, 1967, after attending Benjamin Franklin High School, and was sent to Vietnam eight months ago. He died while on a patrol. Surviving besides his parents are a brother, Leon, and five sisters, Mrs. Priscilla Haines, 22; Mrs. Marie Morris, 21; Mrs. Delores Brown, 23; Brenda, 16, and Gwendolyn, 15. From The Philadelphia Daily News Provided by Jim McIlhenny Watts, 18, left Benjamin Franklin High School in June 1967 to enlist in the Marine Corps. He was sent to Vietnam and assigned to Company A of the 1st Battalion, 27th Marines, 1st Marine Division. The private first class, a radioman, died while helping direct an attack against an enemy platoon in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, on Aug. 17, 1968. He was survived by his parents, a brother and five sisters. From The Philadelphia Daily News Provided by Robert Greer Both photographs originally were published in The Philadelphia Daily News. Pfc Theartis Watts is buried in Site 266, Section M, Beverley National Cemetery, Beverley, New Jersey.

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