World War II Honoree

Calvin Leon Graham

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Canton, Texas

Honored By

Friends of American Heroes

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Having lied about his age, he enlisted at 12 years old on August 12, 1942. He was sent to boot camp in San Diego, California and then to Pearl Harbor after graduation from basic training. He served as a Seaman 1st Class aboard the USS South Dakota. He participated in the Battle of Vera Cruz. On the night of November 14th and day of the 15th he was wounded during the Battle of Guadalcanal. He was a loader for the 40mm anti-aircraft guns when he was hit by shrapnel but still managed to help other wounded to safety. He was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart and a Unit Citation. The South Dakota, which had suffered from 42 hits by 3 enemy ships returned to the East Coast for repairs on December 18, 1942 and his true age was revealed by his mother while in port. He was put in the brig and stripped of his medals and finally released from the military on April 1, 1943. His medals were restored many years later under executive order of the president. He later joined the U.S. Marine Corps when he came of age.