As a teen, Victor Ed Watts was active in the Salvation Army Citadel in Corsicana, Texas.

After his death on the U.S.S. Arizona in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941, the Sunday school class organized itself under the motto “Defenders of the Faith.” Its class flower was the forget-me-not, and a news article mentioned that Mr. Watts had been a member.

He was a gunner’s mate third class on the battleship when he was killed.

Mr. Watts was born in May 1918 to Thad Watts, a farmer, and Mattie Lucy Jordan Watts, a homemaker.

The son attended Corsicana High, where he ran the mile on the track team and also played football. He graduated in 1936.

Mr. Watts enlisted in the National Guard in May 1938 and in the Navy that November.

His older brother, Thad, also served in the Navy in WWII.

Sources: The Corsicana (Texas) Daily Sun; the Corsicana Semi-Weekly Light; Census; Navy muster roll. This profile was researched and written on behalf of the U.S.S. Arizona Mall Memorial at the University of Arizona.

This profile was researched and written by Bobbi Jo Buel on behalf of the U.S.S. Arizona Mall Memorial at the University of Arizona.