Among the many heroes who served during the Vietnam War, few embodied courage, compassion, and unwavering devotion more profoundly than Chaplain (Major) Charles Joseph Watters. A Roman Catholic priest and United States Army chaplain, Watters gave everything—including his life—to serve the men fighting beside him. Posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary bravery during the Battle of Dak To, he remains a symbol of selfless service and spiritual strength in the midst of war’s darkest moments.
Early Life and Struggles: Charles J. Watters was born on January 17, 1927, in Jersey City, New Jersey. Raised in a close-knit community, he attended Seton Hall Preparatory School before continuing on to Seton Hall University. Feeling called to a life of faith, he entered the priesthood and was ordained in 1953 for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark.
Watters spent his early years serving various parishes across New Jersey—Jersey City, Rutherford, Paramus, and Cranford—ensuring spiritual care for countless families. Although he lived a peaceful life of ministry, he also faced the growing burden of seeing many young men from his community head off to war. His compassion and desire to serve those in harm’s way would ultimately guide him toward a new path.
Military Enlistment and Heroics: Outside of his priestly duties, Watters had a passion for adventure and was an active private pilot, flying small aircraft even as far as Argentina. In 1962, driven by a desire to support American service members, he joined the New Jersey Air National Guard as a chaplain.
Two years later, he entered active duty with the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps, determined to minister to soldiers on the front lines. He began his first 12-month tour in Vietnam on July 5, 1966, and quickly became known for his courage under fire. During this tour, he participated in Operation Junction City—including a combat parachute jump—and earned both the Air Medal and a Bronze Star for Valor for his frontline ministry and bravery.
Rather than returning home after his tour, Watters voluntarily extended his service for an additional six months. His men needed him, and he refused to abandon them.
Defining Moment: On November 19, 1967, during intense combat near Đắk Tô, Chaplain Watters displayed heroism that surpassed all expectations. As enemy fire raged and casualties mounted, he ran—not away from danger—but straight toward it.
Unarmed and fully exposed, Watters moved among the troops, comforting the dying, encouraging the living, and pulling the wounded from the battlefield. He carried one paratrooper to safety on his shoulders and repeatedly ventured beyond friendly lines to retrieve injured soldiers, despite attempts to restrain him for his own safety.
Even when his unit was forced to withdraw into a defensive perimeter, Watters willingly left the safety of the lines three separate times to save more wounded men. He then continued administering aid, distributing food and water, and offering spiritual support until the very moment he was fatally struck by a friendly bomb in the chaos of battle.
His courage during the Battle of Dak To was recognized with the Medal of Honor—awarded posthumously for his “unyielding perseverance and selfless devotion to his comrades.”
Post-War Life and Career: Though his life was tragically cut short at the age of 40, the legacy of Chaplain Watters lived on long after the war. His memory continues to inspire generations of service members, chaplains, and civilians alike.
He was laid to rest with honor at Arlington National Cemetery, surrounded by the very heroes he served.
Communities across the country have memorialized him through bridges, schools, chaplain centers, memorial gardens, and plaques—ensuring that his name and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Military Awards and Decorations: Throughout his service, Charles J. Watters earned numerous awards for valor, dedication, and sacrifice, including:
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Medal of Honor
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Bronze Star Medal with “V” device
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Purple Heart
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Air Medal
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National Defense Service Medal
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Vietnam Service Medal with Arrowhead device and two bronze stars
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Vietnam Campaign Medal
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Chaplain’s Badge (Christian)
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Basic Parachutist Badge with one bronze star
He also received prestigious unit awards, such as:
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Presidential Unit Citation
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Meritorious Unit Commendation
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Gallantry Cross of South Vietnam
His name is forever inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Panel 30E, Row 036—a permanent tribute to his bravery.
Chaplain Charles J. Watters lived a life defined by courage, compassion, and extraordinary devotion to others. As both a priest and a soldier, he answered a dual calling—to protect life and to offer spiritual refuge in the midst of unimaginable danger.
His actions on November 19, 1967, stand as some of the most courageous ever witnessed on the battlefield. But beyond medals and recognition, his true legacy lies in the countless lives he saved, comforted, and uplifted.
Chaplain Watters proved that heroism is not only found in combat but also in the quiet strength of a man willing to lay down his life for his fellow soldiers. His memory continues to shine as a beacon of hope, bravery, and selfless love.