World War II Honoree

Alvin A. Graves, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Phoenix, Arizona

Honored By

Phyllis A. Graves

Relationship

Wife & Family

COMPLETED HIS BASIC MILITARY TRAINING AND ARMORED TRAINING AT FORT KNOX, KENTUCKY. SERVED AS A M3 HALF-TRACK VEHICLE DRIVER AND A 57-MM ANTI-TANK GUN GUNNER ASSIGNED TO AN ANTI-TANK PLATOON, HEADQUARTERS AND HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, 4TH ARMORED DIVISION, U.S. 3RD ARMY (COMMANDER, GEORGE S. PATTON). HIS ENTIRE DIVISION WAS DEPLOYED TO CHIPPENHAM, ENGLAND DECEMBER 29, 1943 FOR ADDITIONAL TRAINING IN PREPARATION FOR THE INVASION OF FORTRESS EUROPE. HE LANDED ON UTAH BEACH JULY 11, 1944 AND RECEIVED HIS FIRST BAPTISM OF FIRE JULY 17, 1944 WHICH WAS THE BEGINNING OF 230 DAYS OF CONTINUOUS COMBAT. CAMPAIGNS AND BATTLES: NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, ARDENNES-ALSACE AND CENTRAL EUROPE. WHEN ALL HOSTILITIES HAD CEASED WITH THE GERMAN ARMED FORCES, HIS DIVISION HAD A TOUR OF OCCUPATIONAL DUTY IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA. DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS: PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, BRONZE STAR MEDAL, ARMY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 5 SERVICE STARS, DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE, SUBMACHINE GUN BADGE, M1 MARKSMAN BADGE AND THE HONORABLE LAPEL BUTTON. FOREIGN DECORATION: FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE CITATION. ENTERED THE SERVICE MAY 6, 1943 AND WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED OCTOBER 22, 1945 AT FORT BLISS, TEXAS.