Calvin Graham

Infobox Military Person
name= Calvin Graham
born= birth date|1930|4|3
died= death date and age|1992|11|6|1930|4|3
placeofbirth=
placeofdeath=
placeofburial=


caption=
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch= United States Navy United States Marine Corps
serviceyears= 1942-1943, 1947-1950
rank= Lieutenant
commands=
unit= USS "South Dakota"
battles= World War II *Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
awards= Bronze Star Purple Heart
laterwork=

Calvin Leon Graham (April 3, 1930 - November 6, 1992) was youngest person ever to enlist in the United States Navy, and the youngest U.S. serviceman during World War II. He enlisted in the Navy at age 12 following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

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 shrapnel 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 months in a brig (he was not released until after his sister threatened to contact the newspapers), he was dishonorably discharged for lying about his age and lost his disability benefits.

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.cite news
last = Saxton |first = Michelle
date = November 3, 2003
url = http://www.nwitimes.com/articles/2003/11/07/features/seniors/a01b2c8e0fbb454d86256dcf00220180.txt
title = Decades later, military veterans admit being underage when they enlisted
publisher = Northwest Indiana Times
accessdate = 2006-07-26] 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.cite web|url = http://ddiekman.tripod.com/id51.html
author=Diane Diekman
date=November 1, 1995
title = Navy Memorial
publisher="Clear Lake Courier"
accessdate = 2006-07-26] [cite web |url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=35150
title=Statement on Signing a Bill for the Relief of Calvin L. Graham
author=Ronald Reagan
date=November 10, 1988
accessdate=2006-07-26 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.]

His Purple Heart was finally reinstated and presented to his widow, Mary, nearly two years after his death.

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.

ee also

References

External links

* [http://www.lonesailor.org/nl_log.php?search=yes&navy_log_id=53888&lname_search=GRAHAM&fname_search=CALVIN&page=1&firstname=calvin&lastname=graham Lonesailer.org biography]
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096286/ "Too Young the Hero"] on the Internet Movie Database

*cite web|url=http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10125
title=Badge of Honor: America’s child soldiers reflect on service, seek fellow veterans
work=Leatherneck Magazine
date=October 5, 2003
accessdate=2006-07-26