World War II Honoree

Joe Martin Graves

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Plano, Texas

Honored By

Marry Graves

Relationship

Wife

ENTERED SERVICE IN 1944 AT AGE 16. COMPLETED 13 WEEKS BASIC TRAINING AT CAMP ROBERTS, CALIFORNIA. SENT TO THE PACIFIC THEATER AND FOUGHT IN THE SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES CAMPAIGN WITH THE 40TH DIVISION, 108TH REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM, 1ST BATTALION, COMPANY C. SERVED AS 1ST SCOUT. SERIOUSLY WOUNDED ON APRIL 11, 1945 DURING ACTION ON HILL 600 IN THE VICINITY OF VILLALBA, LEYTE, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. DECORATED FOR MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT IN GROUND OPERATIONS AGAINST THE ENEMY. AWARDED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, BRONZE STAR, PURPLE HEART, ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN RIBBON, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON WITH BRONZE STAR AND BRONZE ARROWHEAD, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON WITH BRONZE STAR, PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL. AFTER THE SURRENDER OF THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT, IN ONE OF THE FIRST UNITS OF THE 108TH REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM TO ENTER KOREA TO OCCUPY THAT COUNTRY AND REPATRIATE THE JAPANESE ARMY BACK TO JAPAN.