I am John's baby Sister, Glenda. John was the 5th child and 3rd Son of Hugh and Julia Watkins. John was Dad's helper on the family farm. Dad was nearing retirement age. So, John dropped out of High School to help Dad full-time. John was a very hard worker. When he wasn't helping Dad he would help the neighbors on their farms. He got an evening job at a Gas Station to make extra money. John was drafted in 1965. Because his main occupation was a Farmer he qualified for deferments. But after the 3rd deferment John told Dad he wanted to join the Army. John went to Fort Jackson SC September 30, 1965. He went to Fort Polk LA for his AIT. John excelled as a rifleman sharp shooter. So, naturally he would be sent to Vietnam. John arrived in Vietnam on March 14, 1966. John was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, USARV, The Big Red One, Charlie Company. Two weeks after his arrival in Vietnam his Company was sent on a Search and Destroy Operation called Operation Abilene. On Easter Sunday, April 10, 1966 as the Company was having their Easter Worship Service out in the fields they started receiving sniper fire. They killed one Viet Cong, captured one, and one got away. After a restless night and breakfast the next morning, Monday April 11, 1966 they began cutting their way through the very dense jungles. The trees and dense growth in the jungles was so tall the sun barely came through. So the daytime was almost dark as the nighttime. After about 8 hours Charlie Company realized they had walked right on top of an underground VC base camp. They were completely surrounded on all sides with no way out. The 134 men of Charlie Company were very much outnumbered. But their only choice was to fight for their lives. It was a very long day and night. The Battle Of Xa Cam My left Charlie Company with an 80% Casualty. It was one of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War. John was awarded posthumously the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. He is buried in Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Jefferson City TN. John was awarded the Hero Card through The Grateful Nation Project in 2023. He was the first Fallen Soldier from Jefferson County TN. There was a special ceremony in his honor on January 22, 2024 at the Courthouse. John has been dearly missed by his family and friends.

Glenda Watkins Nichols , Sister