World War II Honoree

William A. Graham

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Taylor County, Texas

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: CORPORAL. JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR. INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY FEBRUARY 10, 1941. SERVED WITH GOLF BATTERY, 60TH COASTAL ARTILLERY ‘ANTIAIRCRAFT’ REGIMENT ON THE ISLAND OF CORREGIDOR ‘THE ROCK’, LOCATED ACROSS THE BAY FROM MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. HE WAS CAPTURED MAY 6, 1942 WHEN GENERAL WAINWRIGHT WAS FORCED TO SURRENDER CORREGIDOR TO THE JAPANESE INVADING FORCES. HE WAS REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION OR BURIED AT SEA ON THE DAY OF HIS CAPTURE AND IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: SILVER STAR AND THE PURPLE HEART. THE SILVER STAR WAS AWARDED TO THE SOLDIER FOR DISTINGUISHED GALLANTRY IN ACTION AND VALOR IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY.