George M. Watson Jr., Ph.D

07/03/1944 - 05/15/2025

Historian, Author, Family Man and Avid Sports Fan
George M. Watson, Jr. Ph.D of Chevy Chase, Maryland died on May 15, 2025 at age 80. He was a knowledgeable historian whose 40 year career in the Office of Air Force History in Washington, DC enabled him to write Office of the Secretary of the Air Force 1947-1965, the definitive book on the decline of power of the Secretary of the Air Force and the subsequent power ascendency of the Secretary of Defense.
Born in Portland, Maine July 3, 1944 to George and Emily (Houle) Watson, he was educated at Sacred Heart Grammar School and (Jesuit) Cheverus High where he graduated Cum Laude in 1962. In 1966 he earned a BA degree in History from the University of Maine in Portland where he lettered in golf and was vice president of his junior and senior classes. He worked summers as caddy master at Portland Country Club.
In 1968 he received an MA degree in Modern European History from Niagara University, NY. He was drafted from his Ph.D program at Catholic University (CUA) in Washington, DC by the Portland Maine Selective Service office in 1968. He spent two years in the U.S. Army including 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam 1969-70. Although he resented the unfair draft system, he performed his duties honorably, earning the Bronze Star for trustworthy and responsible service. George believed the future strength of the nation existed in the character and resolve of the many men with whom he served. In 1974 he attained a Ph.D in Modern European History from Catholic University.
He began his 40 year career in the Office of Air Force History, Washington, DC as an historian, writing branch and division manager and served three years as Chief Historian for the Office of the Surgeon General of the United States Air Force. He interviewed key military and civilian personnel affiliated with the Air Force and was involved in several notable research investigations such as the supposed No Gun Ri raid and the USAF Korean War bombing policies. He represented the USAF History program on the Abu Ghraib study committee. In 2012 he was appointed the AF representative to the OSD Advisory Board of the 50th Anniversary Committee of the Vietnam War. His final position was Senior Historian and mentor, and Chief, Histories & Studies Branch for the AF History Historical Studies Office in Washington, DC.
Dr. Watson authored 8 books, coauthored 16 others and wrote many articles and reviews. Outside of work, he wrote Choices: The Crisis of Conscience of the Vietnam Generation and Voices From the Rear: Vietnam 1969-1970, one of the few sources about the life of rear echelon troops. He was respected as an historian by his peers, and acknowledged as an experienced leader, confidant advisor, and mentor. Always conscious of his role as a public servant sustained by the American taxpayer, he assisted many individuals with historical inquiries.
He married Nancy Louise Foote in March 1970 while on Rest and Recuperation leave in Hawaii. They raised their children Leah, Tyler and Devon in Chevy Chase, MD. A devoted family man, he coached baseball and soccer for his children's teams and consistently attended his daughter's swim meets. He was an avid Boston Red Sox and Celtics fan as well as a Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, and New York Giants supporter. He loved jazz and was an accomplished pianist who enjoyed improvising popular tunes. His favorite jazz pianists were Errol Garner and Oscar Peterson. He also loved dogs, and they reciprocated his affection. He was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Chevy Chase, MD where he served as usher, assistant parish historian, on the Shepherd's Table group, Men's Ministry, and Outreach Committee. He especially loved spending time with Nancy and his family at their Cape Cod cottage in Dennis Port, MA.
In 2007 he was diagnosed with several cancers attributed to exposure to agent-orange in Vietnam. In spite of pain and fatigue, he went to work within hours of radiation treatment maintaining the importance of "I remain on two feet and above ground."
Dr. Watson retired from the Civil service in late summer of 2012. Among the awards he received was the Department of the Air Force Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award. In retirement he continued to write history and two fiction works Remember These Things: Neighborhood Connections (2014), and In the Name of Belief (2021).
He was predeceased by his parents and Nancy, his wife of nearly 50 years, and his older brother Ronald.
He is survived by his daughter Leah Watson and her husband Michael Blumenthal of Medfield, MA, and their children Elin and Lila Louise who loved their Grumpa, and his sons Tyler and Devon. He is also survived by his sisters Estelle Sanders (Charles) of Woodstock, VA, Catherine Moschetto (Marcus) of St. Augustine, FL, Emily Sprague (Stuart) of Duxbury, MA, and a brother Frank Watson (Jen) of Easley, SC.
Dr. Watson desired to give special thanks to the doctors and nurses whose untiring efforts kept him alive.
Funeral Services will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church in Chevy Chase, MD on June 7, 2025 at 10 a.m.