Anthony Watson (admiral) facts for kids
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Anthony John "Tony" Watson was born on May 18, 1949, in Chicago. He is a retired Navy veteran who served for 31 years. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1970.
Watson is known as one of the "Centennial Seven." These were African-American sailors who commanded submarines in the 20th century. He was the first black submariner to be promoted to rear admiral. He served on five different submarines. In December 1987, he became the second African-American naval officer to command a nuclear submarine. He grew up in the Cabrini-Green community in Chicago. He graduated from Lane Technical High School in 1966.
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A Life of Service
Anthony Watson grew up in Chicago. After high school, he attended the U. S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. While there, he showed strong leadership skills. He was elected class president twice. He also became the first African American to reach the rank of Brigade Commander. This was a very high leadership position for a third-year midshipman.
Leading Submarines
Later in his career, Watson became the Commanding Officer of the USS Jacksonville. This was a Los Angeles Class fast-attack nuclear submarine. During his command, he led the first live-fire, at-sea depth charge test for a submarine since USS Thresher in 1963.
From 1989 to 1992, he served as the Deputy Commandant of Midshipmen at the Naval Academy. In 1992, he took command of Submarine Squadron Seven in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He was in charge of 13 fast-attack nuclear submarines.
High-Ranking Leadership
As a rear admiral, Anthony Watson was assigned to the Pentagon. There, he worked under General Colin Powell. General Powell was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at that time. After this important role, Watson also became the Commander of the Navy Recruiting Command. This operation had a team of 6,000 people across the nation. They worked to recruit new members for the Navy.
Awards and Recognition
Rear Admiral Watson received many military awards for his service. These include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and four Meritorious Service medals. He also earned three Navy Commendation Medals and the Navy Achievement Medal.
Family Life
Anthony Watson is the son of John David Watson and Virginia Hortence (Smith) Watson. He married Sharon Gray (Shires) Waddell on July 21, 1984, in Norfolk, Virginia.
