Specialist Fourth Class Gary Watkins

Specialist Fourth Class Gary Watkins entered the United States Army January 17, 1967. Gary served with Company C. 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Heroism, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Marksman Badge with rifle bar, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Gary received the Bronze Star Medal with "V" for actions on January 5, 1968. The citation reads, "Private First Class Watkins distinguished himself by heroic actions on 5 January 1968, while serving as a machine gunner with Company C, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry on combat opertions in the vicinity of Katum, War Zone C, Republic of Vietnam.  When Private Watkins' platoon came under heavy machine gun and small arms fire the two point men were wounded and could not be evacuated. Private Watkins and his comrade exposed themselves to hostile fire while moving forward to a vantage point, setting up a machine gun position to establish a fire power against the enemy, killing the enemy machine gun crew. Private Watkins' valorous actions are responsible for the platoon being able to accomplish its mission without further casualties."

Specialist Gary Watkins died March 2, 1968. His name can be found on Panel 42E, row 44 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C.

Blooming Grove Services Today For Viet Victim

BLOOMING GROVE (SPL) - Funeral services for Spec. 4 Gary Watkins, 20, of Blooming Grove will be at 3 p.m. today in the Blooming Grove Methodist Church with Rev. James pepper and Rev. Ronnie J. Chesser officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery.
Mr. Watkins was killed in action in Vietnam on March 2. he was with the 25 Infantry Division there.
Flags in Blooming Grove flew at half-mast when it was learned that he had been killed. He was a 1965 graduate of Blooming Grove High School
Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Watkins of Blooming Grove; one sister, Mrs. Bobbie Ellis of Sherman; and grandparents, Mr. and RMs. Alex Bryant of Blooming Grove and Mr. and Mrs. Max Watkins of Barry.

Notes:

• The Waco News-Tribune - March 20, 1968
• Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams