World War II Honoree

Theodore 'Ted' Grafton

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Ashland, Ohio

Honored By

Verne Grafton

Relationship

Brother

SERVED ABOARD USS DIXIE AD-14, USS NAVAHO ATF-64, AND USS AUDRAIN APA-59. WAS ON THE USS DIXIE AD-14, A LARGE DESTROYER TENDER, WHEN HE RECEIVED ORDERS TO TRANSFER TO THE USS NAVAJO ATF-64, A LARGE SEAGOING TUG. BUT BECAUSE HE HAD THE WATCH DUTY, HE WAS UNABLE TO TRANSFER ON THE DAY HE WAS SCHEDULED AND STAYED ABOARD THE USS DIXIE AD-14. WHEN THE USS NAVAJO ATF-64 MOVED OUT OF PORT IT WAS IMMEDIATELY SUNK, WITH ALL HANDS LOST. HE WAS LATER ABLE TO SIGNAL HIS BROTHER'S SHIP THAT HE WAS STILL ALIVE AND WELL.