Plankowner
Posts: 9165
Location: Upper lefthand corner of the map. | Subject: Youngest sailor in WW II
Calvin Leon Graham (April 3, 1930–November 6, 1992) was youngest person ever to enlist in the United States Navy, and the youngest U.S. serviceman during World War II. He enlisted in the Navy at age 12 following the attack on Pearl Harbor.
He was wounded at the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, while serving aboard the USS South Dakota. During the battle, he helped in the fire control efforts aboard the South Dakota, but suffered shrapnel wounds in the process. For his actions he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. However, his mother later revealed his age, and after spending three months in a brig—he was not released until after his sister threatened to contact the newspapers—he was dishonorably discharged for lying about his age and lost his disability benefits.
Graham later joined the United States Marines at age 17, but his service ended about three years later when he fell from a pier and broke his back. Although serving in the Marines qualified him as a veteran, he would spend the rest of his life fighting for medical benefits and a clean record. In 1978, he was finally awarded an honorable discharge, and after writing to Congress and with the approval of President Jimmy Carter, all medals but his Purple Heart were reinstated. He received disability and back pay in 1988.
His Purple Heart was finally reinstated and presented to his widow, Mary, nearly two years after his death.
His story came to public attention in 1988, when his story was told in the TV movie, Too Young the Hero. He was played by Rick Schroder. |
COMSUBBBS
Posts: 2561
Location: Rapid City, SD | Subject: RE: Youngest sailor in WW II
I saw that movie, Ric. I thought it was 'Too Young To Be A Hero.' Of course it was also interesting to me because he was on the USS South Dakota.
After one battle (as I remember it) where he was manning a large gun, he became frightened and wanted to get out of the service, but 'the powers that were' thought he was a coward, and was again tellling a lie when his reason to get out was that he was telling his real age. They thought that since he was a big kid, that he was now lying in reverse, and that he was older than what he was telling them, when he was finally telling the truth. Damn - now I'm confusing myself. I wanted to find a copy of that film at the time that I took my two youngest grandsons to see the USS South Dakota Memorial in Sioux Falls, but I've never been able to find it.
Cora |
Youngest sailor in WW II
