Navy Ensign Joshua Watson

Navy Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson, 23, of Enterprise, Alabama, was a naval aviation candidate assigned to Naval Aviation Schools Command at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. He died on December 6, 2019, after being shot multiple times while serving as officer of the deck during a terrorist attack inside a training building. Despite his wounds, he reached first responders and provided an accurate description and location of the attacker, helping prevent additional casualties.

ENS Watson graduated from Enterprise High School in 2014. After attending the Naval Academy Preparatory School, he entered the U.S. Naval Academy, earned a mechanical engineering degree and captained Navy’s 2018–2019 rifle team. Commissioned in May 2019, he was selected for naval aviation and reported to Pensacola for flight training in November.

His brother Adam said ENS Watson “saved countless lives” through his final actions and added, “He died a hero.” A neighbor remembered him as a kind and brave young man who immediately stepped forward whenever someone—or even an animal—needed help.

ENS Watson was survived by his parents and two brothers.