Subject of the movie, 'Too Young the Hero.' Possibly the nation's youngest combat veteran. Calvin, at age 12 faked his age and joined the Navy in 1942. He fought the WWII bloody battle of Guadalcanal aboard the battleship South Dakota and won the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and other medals for bravery. When it was learned he had lied about his age to enlist, he was thrown in the brig, stripped of his combat medals and denied an honorable discharge. At age 17, he legally enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1948-1951 achieving the rank of Corporal until a fall that broke his back permanently ended his military career. After years of lobbying, he finally reclaimed all his medals but the Purple Heart, which was given to his widow in 1994.∼Calvin Leon Graham (April 3, 1930 – November 6, 1992) was the youngest U.S. serviceman to serve and fight during World War II. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the United States Navy from Houston, Texas on August 15, 1942, at the age of 12.Calvin L. Graham, who gained attention as the boy who lied so he could enlist in the Navy at age 12 during World War II, died Friday in his house in Fort Worth. He was 62 years old. He died of heart failure, said his stepson, Ronnie O'Donley
Subject of the movie, 'Too Young the Hero.' Possibly the nation's youngest combat veteran. Calvin, at age 12 faked his age and joined the Navy in 1942. He fought the WWII bloody battle of Guadalcanal aboard the battleship South Dakota and won the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and other medals for bravery. When it was learned he had lied about his age to enlist, he was thrown in the brig, stripped of his combat medals and denied an honorable discharge. At age 17, he legally enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1948-1951 achieving the rank of Corporal until a fall that broke his back permanently ended his military career. After years of lobbying, he finally reclaimed all his medals but the Purple Heart, which was given to his widow in 1994.∼Calvin Leon Graham (April 3, 1930 – November 6, 1992) was the youngest U.S. serviceman to serve and fight during World War II. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the United States Navy from Houston, Texas on August 15, 1942, at the age of 12.Calvin L. Graham, who gained attention as the boy who lied so he could enlist in the Navy at age 12 during World War II, died Friday in his house in Fort Worth. He was 62 years old. He died of heart failure, said his stepson, Ronnie O'Donley
Inscription
Aged 62 years
