Soldier Honored: Joshua Caleb Watson

A native of Enterprise, Ala., and a Class of 2019 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Ensign Joshua K. Watson, 23, was shot while serving as Officer of the Deck at a training building aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL during a terrorist attack which took the lives of Ens. Watson and two others.

While at the Naval Academy, Josh was a member of 10th company and captained the 2018-2019 Rifle Team. A mechanical engineering major, he service-selected and was assigned to naval aviation. Upon commissioning in May 2019, Josh was temporarily assigned to the Naval Academy’s Physical Education department until he reported to Pensacola to begin the aviation training.

Ens. Watson’s father, Benjamin, said that his son was the officer on deck at the time of the shooting. Ens. Watson, who is called Kaleb by some family members, was shot at least five times. "Heavily wounded, he made his way out to flag down first responders and gave an accurate description of the shooter," Benjamin Watson said. "He died serving his country."

"Joshua Kaleb Watson saved countless lives today with his own," said brother Adam Watson. "He died a hero, and we are beyond proud but there is a hole in our hearts that can never be filled."