Gladewater, TX (Longview News-Journal) — An East Texas war hero for whom a stretch of U.S. 80 may soon be named will be honored posthumously Saturday at the Gladewater Memorial Cemetery to mark Medal of Honor Day.

Master Sgt. Travis E. Watkins, who died defending his unit during the Korean War, is the only known Medal of Honor recipient buried in Northeast Texas.

The ceremony will be at noon and will include a proclamation by Gladewater’s mayor, a speech by Maj. Gen. James Brown of the U.S. Army and the reading of Watkins’ citation for the Medal of Honor.

State Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, has filed a bill in Texas House to name U.S. 80 from U.S. 271 to Big Sandy the Sergeant Travis E. Watkins Memorial Highway.

Read more stories from KETK newspaper partner the Longview News-Journal.