AF gains Ala. native’s collection

OFFUTT AFB, Neb. – When the family of a man who lived to see the age of 101, served in the Army, Army Air Corps, and Air Force for 30 years, asks to donate something, the answer is easy. Col. John Watters Sr., a Selma, Ala., native, graduated from Auburn University in 1940 and commissioned into the Army’s horse-drawn artillery. A few years later, he became a bombardier and navigator in the Army Air Corps’ B-17s. When the AF was established, Watters’ final assignment was as Gen. Curtis LeMay's Strategic Air Command commander, and lead operational bombing planner. Watters retired in 1970 and passed away in 2018 leaving behind his wife, Jean, of 72 years, six children, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. One of Watters’ pastimes was collecting military literature. It was the family who suggested leaving the extensive collection of military books to Offutt AFB and the 55th Wing. With a hundred U.S. and Air Force history books from the Watters’ collection in tow, the wing decided to open a professional development reading library. The books can be checked out by anyone on the base interested in learning about history. (Source: Offutt AFB 01/19/19) Note: In 2011, Jean, a British Royal navy veteran, was presented a badge and certificate signed by British former Prime Minister Gordon Brown in recognition of her efforts supporting the Top Secret ENIGMA code-breaking program of Nazi Germany's ENIGMA operational codes in WWII.