Bravery Beyond Duty: Chaplain Watters at Đắk Tô

Chaplain Charles Joseph Watters distinguished himself during an assault near Đắk Tô. Moving with a company that encountered a heavily armed enemy battalion, he fearlessly advanced into the line of fire as the battle intensified and casualties rose. Unarmed and fully exposed, Chaplain Watters moved among the advancing troops, aiding the wounded, helping with evacuations, offering words of encouragement, and administering last rites to the dying. At one point, he saw a wounded paratrooper in shock standing in front of the assaulting forces; Chaplain Watters ran forward, lifted him onto his shoulders, and carried him to safety.

As the paratroopers fought to reach the first enemy entrenchment, he braved intense fire to reach a fallen comrade at the front line. When the troops momentarily pulled back to prepare for a second assault, Chaplain Watters exposed himself to both friendly and enemy fire to rescue two wounded soldiers caught between the lines. Later, when his battalion had to retreat into a defensive perimeter, he noticed several wounded soldiers stranded outside. Ignoring calls to stay back, he left the perimeter three times, facing small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire to bring the injured to safety.

Once confident that all the wounded were within the perimeter, Chaplain Watters tended to them alongside the medics, applying field dressings, bringing food and water, and offering spiritual comfort. Moving from position to position along the perimeter, he distributed supplies and ministered to his men’s needs. While giving aid to the wounded, Chaplain Watters was mortally wounded himself. For these selfless and heroic actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.