1. Calvin Leon Graham was the youngest US serviceman to serve and fight during World War II and was one of the few known child soldiers to fight on behalf of the United States in the conflict.
14 Facts About Calvin Graham
1. 2.
Calvin Graham's case was similar to that of Jack W Hill, who was granted significant media attention due to holding service number one million during World War II, but later was discovered to have lied about his age and subsequently discharged.
3.
Calvin Graham went through boot camp in San Diego, California for six weeks.
4.
Calvin Graham was deployed to the USS South Dakota, at Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii.
5.
Calvin Graham served as a loader for a 40 mm anti-aircraft gun and was hit by shrapnel while taking a hand message to an officer.
6.
Calvin Graham was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart, and he and his crew mates were awarded another Navy Unit Commendation.
7.
Calvin Graham's mother revealed his age after he traveled to his grandmother's funeral in Texas without permission from the Navy, for which he spent three months in a Texas brig.
8.
Calvin Graham was released after his sister threatened to contact the newspapers.
9.
Calvin Graham then worked in a Houston shipyard as a welder after dropping out of school.
10.
Calvin Graham joined the United States Marine Corps in 1948 at age 17.
11.
In 1978, Calvin Graham was finally given an honorable discharge for his service in the Navy, and after writing to Congress and with the approval of President Jimmy Carter, all medals except his Purple Heart were reinstated.
12.
Calvin Graham's story came to public attention in 1988, when his story was told in the TV movie, Too Young the Hero starring Rick Schroder.
13.
In 1988, Calvin Graham received disability benefits and back pay for his service in the Navy after President Ronald Reagan signed legislation that granted Calvin Graham full disability benefits, increased his back pay to $4,917 and allowed him $18,000 for past medical bills, contingent on receipts for the medical services.
14.
Calvin Graham was buried at Laurel Land Memorial Park in Fort Worth, Texas.