World War II Honoree

Frank William 'Pete' Gravitt

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED AS AN INSTRUCTOR WITH THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS (CCC), A U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAM TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT. TWELVE DAYS AFTER THE JAPANESE SURPRISE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII ON DECEMBER 7, 1941, HE ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR FORCES. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER AS A MAJOR AND CHIEF OF SUPPLY WITH THE 5TH BOMBER COMMAND. PARTICIPATED IN THE NEW GUINEA, BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO, LUZON, AND SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES CAMPAIGNS. AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 4 BRONZE SERVICE STARS, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. CONTINUED IN U.S. ARMY AND U.S. AIR FORCE SERVICE AFTER THE WAR UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE AIR FORCE WITH THE RANK OF COLONEL. ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.