In the Korean War, Watkins served as a master sergeant with Company H of the 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. Near Yeongsan, Korea, on August 31, 1950, he was among a group of 30 soldiers who were cut off and surrounded by a numerically superior North Korean force.
In the Korean War, Watkins served as a master sergeant in Company H of the 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. Near Yeongsan, Korea, on August 31, 1950, he was among a group of thirty soldiers who were isolated and encircled by a larger North Korean force.