World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Irven H. Hardgraves, Jr.
Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Maud, Oklahoma
Honored By
Robert S. Cox
ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE AT AGE 17 AND SERVED FOUR YEARS. ASSIGNED TO THE DESTROYER USS JOHN R. CRAIG (DD-885). AFTER THE SHIP'S INITIAL SHAKEDOWN CRUISE IN THE CARIBBEAN SEA, SAILED FROM THE CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA NAVY BASE ON JANUARY 19, 1946 FOR SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. SAILED FROM SAN DIEGO ON FEBRUARY 7, 1946 TO JOIN THE 7TH FLEET IN REPATRIATING JAPANESE SOLDIERS FROM NORTH CHINA. THEN ALTERNATED DEPLOYMENTS BETWEEN FAR EASTERN WATERS AND TRAINING OFF THE CALIFORNIA COAST. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN.