World War II Honoree

Gordon Lee Graham

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Burt, Iowa

Honored By

Danielle A. Laybourn

Relationship

Granddaughter

SERGEANT GRAHAM WAS A SCOUT WITH THE 158TH REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM. HIS FIRST COMBAT TOUR WAS IN NEW GUINEA, WHERE HE SAW ACTION AT NEW HOLLAND AND ON THE ISLAND OF BORNEO. DURING THIS CAMPAIGN HE WAS WOUNDED AND RECEIVED THE BRONZE STAR FOR VALOR WHILE MANEUVERING HIS ELEMENT AGAINST A JAPANESE PLATOON OUTSIDE THE AIRFIELD ON NEW HOLLAND. AFTER REFIT, AND THE COMPLETION OF THE CAMPAIGN IN NEW GUINEA, SERGEANT GRAHAM NEXT SAW ACTION IN THE PHILIPPINES. HE WAS ON THE ASSAULT WAVE IN THE LINGAYEN GULF, BEING ONE OF THE FIRST AMERICAN ELEMENTS TO SET FOOT ON LUZON AFTER ITS LOSS TO THE ENEMY. GRAHAM CONTINUED TO SEE CLOSE COMBAT AS A REGIMENTAL SCOUT UNTIL THE END OF THE WAR. HE SPENT THE REMAINDER OF HIS TIME IN LUZON UNTIL REDEPLOYMENT TO THE UNITED STATES AND RECEIVING AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE. SERGEANT GRAHAM'S OTHER AWARDS INCLUDE THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, THE WWII PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH ARROWHEAD DEVICE, THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL AND THE WWII SERVICE MEDAL.