Calvin Graham
| Calvin Leon Graham | |
|---|---|
 Seaman First Class Calvin Graham in May 1942 |
|
| Born | April 3, 1930 Canton, Texas |
| Died | November 6, 1992 (aged 62) Fort Worth, Texas |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Navy United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1942-1943, 1948-1951 |
| Rank | Seaman First Class - USN Corporal - USMC[1] |
| Unit | USS South Dakota |
| Battles/wars | World War II *Naval Battle of Guadalcanal |
| Awards | Bronze Star Purple Heart |
Calvin Leon Graham (April 3, 1930–November 6, 1992) was the youngest U.S. serviceman, during World War II.[2] Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Navy in May 1942, at the age of 12.
He was wounded at the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, while serving aboard the USS South Dakota. During the battle, he helped in the fire control efforts aboard the South Dakota, but suffered fragmentation wounds in the process. For his actions he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. However, his mother later revealed his age, and after spending three months in a brig—he was not released until after his sister threatened to contact the newspapers—he was dishonorably discharged in May 1943 for lying about his age and lost his disability benefits.[3] The South Dakota's gunnery officer, who was involved in handling his case, was Sargent Shriver.
Graham later joined the United States Marines at age 17, but his service ended about three years later when he fell from a pier and broke his back.[4] Although serving in the Marines qualified him as a veteran, he would spend the rest of his life fighting for medical benefits and a clean record. In 1978, he was finally awarded an honorable discharge, and after writing to Congress and with the approval of President Jimmy Carter, all medals but his Purple Heart were reinstated. He received disability and back pay in 1988.[5][6]
His Purple Heart was finally reinstated and presented to his widow, Mary, nearly two years after his death[4] in 1992 from heart failure. His story came to public attention in 1988, when his story was told in the TV movie, Too Young the Hero. He was played by Rick Schroder.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.asp?ID=1439
- ^ Fontaine, Scott (November 18, 2008). "Meet the youngest surviving WWII veteran". Scripps News. http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/38026. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
- ^ Breyer, Rick (2005). The Greatest War Stories Never Told. New York: Collins. pp. 160–161. ISBN 0060760176. OCLC 58985926.
- ^ a b Saxton, Michelle (November 3, 2003). "Decades later, military veterans admit being underage when they enlisted". Northwest Indiana Times. http://www.nwitimes.com/lifestyles/article_98e43376-43d5-5d36-b2b6-7a477a376d74.html. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
- ^ a b Diane Diekman (November 1, 1995). "Navy Memorial". Clear Lake Courier. http://ddiekman.tripod.com/id51.html. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
- ^ Ronald Reagan (November 10, 1988). "Statement on Signing a Bill for the Relief of Calvin L. Graham". http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=35150. Retrieved 2011-04-03. H.R. 610, "An Act Graham is a veteran of Navy and Marine for the relief of Calvin L. Graham, " assigned Private Law No. 100-44.
In 1988, President Reagan signed legislation that granted Calvin full disability benefits, increased his back pay to $4917, and allowed $18,000 for past medical bills, contingent on receipts for the medical services. By this time, some of the doctors who treated him had died and many medical bills were lost. Calvin received only $2,100 of the possible $18,000. The money for the rights to his story for the movie, Too Young The Hero" amounted to $50,000, but 50% went to two agents, and 20% went to a writer of an unpublished book about Calvin. Calvin and his wife received $15,000 before taxes. Taken from the web site of 'Veterans of Underage Military Service.
[edit] External links
- Lonesailer.org biography
- Comptroller General of the United States: Matter of Calvin L. Graham
- Too Young the Hero on the Internet Movie Database
- "Badge of Honor: America’s child soldiers reflect on service, seek fellow veterans". Leatherneck Magazine. October 5, 2003. http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10125. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
- People Magazine: The Navy's 'Baby' Hero...
- Veterans of Underage Military Service
- Paul Harvey on Calvin Graham
