World War II Honoree

Joseph Gregory Graham

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Columbus, Ohio

Honored By

Rick, Polly, Greg, Bill, Pattie, Karen, John & Rosalie Graham, Kathleen Marteney

Relationship

Family

JOINED THE AIR FORCE AS PRIVATE 1ST CLASS IN NOVEMBER 1943. ATTENDED BASIC TRAINING AT CAMP ATTERBURY IN MIAMI, FLORIDA AND GUNNERY SCHOOL IN KINGMAN, ARIZONA. KNEE INJURY DURING TRAINING DELAYED HIM TO 15TH SQUADRON, 8TH AIR FORCE, WHICH SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT CASUALTIES. STATIONED AT MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE IN TAMPA, FLORIDA. FLEW WITH THE 15TH AIR FORCE, 301ST BOMB GROUP, 419TH BOMB SQUADRON, BASED IN FOGGIA, ITALY AS BALL TURRET GUNNER. SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED 23 MISSIONS. CREW SURVIVED FLIGHT OVER THE AZORES AFTER LOSS OF ONE ENGINE AND COASTED ONTO RUNWAY. STATIONED BRIEFLY IN SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA. HONORABLY DISCHARGED NOVEMBER 1945.