Obituary of Roy F. Watts

Roy F. Watts, 90 yrs old, retired WWII/Army Air Corps/CAT pilot, died peacefully at home in McLean, Virginia on Monday, Sept 1, 2014. A true hero and member of the Greatest Generation. Roy was born on Valentine’s Day, 1924 in Washington. He had a dream…….to fly, and he made his dream come true. At the age of 19, Roy joined the Army Air Corps and was assigned to Nanking, China. During his service, he earned the Asiatic Pacific Theater Victory Medal; American Theater Chinese Wings and the Air Force Medal of Merit. In 1947, Captain Watts became one of the first Air America Pilots – Gen. Claire Chennault’s “Flying Tigers” covert paramilitary airline. He was regarded as one of the “straight-talking” pilots flying the China/Burma/India Theater. The CAT/Air America pilots fought long and hard on the side of Chiang Kai-shek’s forces, flying troops into battle, carrying out the wounded, and air dropping supplies to isolated garrisons For 15 years, Captain Watts flew covertly for the United States of America, under the veil of the Central Intelligence Agency. In 1954,during the final days of the French resistance at Dien Bien Phu. Captain Watts is credited with flying 33 perilous missions, airlifting personnel, food, ammunition and supplies for 57 days, giving the besieged French Foreign Legion troops a life line. In 2005, French Ambassador, Jean-David Levitte, bestowed Capt. Watts and the remaining six surviving American pilots the French Legion of Honor, with the rank of Knight, France’s highest award for service. Roy was stricken with Polio, ending his flying career at the age of 35. “Defeat” was not in his vocabulary. He learned to walk with braces and crutches, never complaining and entered a new phase of life- raising his family and working as a civilian for the Navy Dept. while attending night school at George Washington University, finally earning his degree in 1973. Roy endured many challenges in life- polio; the tragic loss of his beloved wife Cordelia and their youngest son Cory in 1985; but the biggest challenge was fighting for recognition from the United States government for his years of service that were never officially recognized. To this day, our family, and those of other CAT/Air America employees are still fighting. Perhaps one day, our government will acknowledge these brave heroes. Roy is survived by his children Gary Watts (Emily), Raymond Watts (Lisa) and Mei-Mei Venners-Sherman (David Sherman), along with his grandchildren Remy & Kayla Venners and Collin& Alexandra Watts. A memorial service will be held Sunday, Sept 7, 2014 at 9:30am at Georgetown Prep’s Chapel of our Lady, 10900 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, MD 20852. In Lieu of Flowers, contributions may be sent in his honor to: Wounded Warriors Foundation c/o Vinson Hall. 6251 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA 22101