World War II Honoree

Eugene Graves

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Peru, Nebraska

Honored By

Dennis J. Bledsoe

Relationship

Cousin

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS. ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE MARCH 1942 AND WAS ASSIGNED FOR TRAINING TO THE 90TH INFANTRY DIVISION AT CAMP BARKELEY, TEXAS. THE UNIT WAS SENT TO ENGLAND FOR FURTHER TRAINING. HE LANDED ON UTAH BEACH, D-DAY, JUNE 6, 1944, ASSIGNED TO HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, 1ST BATTALION, 359TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 90TH DIVISION. DECORATED TWICE FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION, WITH THE SILVER STAR AND OAK LEAF CLUSTER TO THE SILVER STAR. ON AUGUST 17, 1944, HE WAS AGAIN CITED FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION DURING A HEAVY COUNTERATTACK BY SUPERIOR ENEMY FORCES. DESPITE THE INTENSE ARTILLERY, MORTAR, TANK AND GRENADE FIRE CENTERED ON HIS POSITION HE REMAINED AT THIS POST, EFFECTIVELY FIRING HIS RIFLE AT THE ADVANCING ENEMY. THOUGH HE RECEIVED A WOUND WHICH WOULD LATER PROVE FATAL, HE DECLINED MEDICAL TREATMENT AND CONTINUED TO OFFER ALL THE RESISTANCE POSSIBLE UNTIL HE DIED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THIS BATTLE TOOK PLACE IN THE TOWN OF LE BOURG ST. LEONARD, FRANCE.