WWII Triple ace gone west

[evangilder]

March 28, 2008
Richmond Times - Dispatch
Lt. Gen. Gordon M. Graham logged more than 9,000 flying hours during his career in the Air Force.

But Graham's first flying experience came while he was working as a teenager at an airport in California in the early 1930s. Told one payday there wasn't enough money to pay him, he accepted an offer of a flying lesson instead, said his wife of 40 years, Vivian Fox Graham of Irvington.

That first experience piloting a plane became a passion for Graham, who destruction of at least 16 enemy planes during World War II made him a triple ace.

"He had a fantastic career. It was far more exciting and interesting than anything else," his wife said.

Graham, who retired from the Air Force in 1973 as commander of the 6th Allied Tactical Air Force in Izmir, Turkey, died Saturday at Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury after suffering a stroke in February. He was 90.

He was born in Ouray, Colo., and grew up in Taft, Calif. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley -- where he was a lightweight Golden Glove champion -- with a bachelor's in petroleum engineering. He joined the military in December 1940 and received his wings in August 1941.

By the end of World War II, he had flown 73 combat missions in P-51 Mustang fighter planes. He also saw combat in Korea and Vietnam, being credited with more than 1,000 combat hours in fighters.

During his career, he held various posts in the Air Force and received 55 decorations and service awards, including the Distinguished Service Medal and Silver Star.

Proud of those honors, Graham displayed them in a framed box on a wall, his wife said.

After leaving the military, Graham worked for McDonnell Douglas Corp., first as president of its Tokyo office and then as corporate vice president in Washington.

Upon retiring in 1983, Graham and his wife moved to the Northern Neck, where he volunteered with the rescue squad, the free health clinic and the Animal Welfare League.

In 1996, he published an autobiography, "Double for Down: Anecdotes of a Fighter Pilot."

In addition to his wife, survivors include two daughters, Eloise Graham Brooks of McLean and Helen Huntingdon Stubbs of Merritt Island, Fla.; a son, Gordon Alexander Elting Graham of Gig Harbor, Wash.; two stepsons, Robert Earl Fairbairn of Williamsburg and Donald Boyce Fairbairn of Darnestown, Md.; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for April 4 at 11 a.m. at Campbell Memorial Presbyterian Church, 3712 Weems Road, in Weems. Burial will be July 8 at 1 p.m. at Arlington National Cemetery.

World War II Triple Ace Dies

[Hunter368]

I salute you old soldier.

[ccheese]

Charles

[Thorlifter]

[wilbur1]

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

[Gnomey]

[Njaco]

You would be surprised how many retired veterans volunteer at Emerg. services and animal shelters. Can't do without them!

[Lucky13]

[h.whiteman]

if you go to this site: http://af.mil/bios/bio.asp?bioID=5598 you can access lt gen graham's full usaf biography---quite an impressive career! i'm sure he will be missed. h.whiteman.

[Sgt. Pappy]

[Wayne Little]

[drgondog]

Gordy "Ace" Graham

Down for Double, then WRF near end of war

Graham and Marshall at 1967 Fighter Aces reunion in New Orleans

Wilson Marshall and Graham in front of 355HQ Building

[drgondog]

One more bio from my book

Graham, Gordon Marion (Gordy, Ace)
Lieutenant General
Born: February 16, 1918 – Ouray, Colorado

Following graduation from University of California – Berkley, with BS Petroleum Engineering in 1940, he joined Army Reserves and commissioned a Second Lieutenant when he completed pilot training at Craig Field, Alabama in August, 1942. He served in Training Command and was promoted to Major before shipping out to ETO in late, July 1944. Graham’s logbook had more than 2700 hours of single engine time.

He was assigned to 355th FG HQ in September, 1944 and became 354 Fighter Squadron CO after 354FS Ops Officer Lenfest became POW on October 3rd and Squadron CO Marshall was promoted to 355FG Deputy Group Commander on October 23, 1944.

Major Gordy (Ace) Graham was a skilled and aggressive Squadron Commander and was able to shoot down his first 5 aircraft over a span of 20 days starting with an Fw 190 on Christmas Day, 1944, added two more on December 31st and then on January 14, 1945 he shot down a pair of Fw 190D-9’s southeast of Meppen. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in February and finished his aerial scoring on April 8 by shooting down two Me 109’s near Oberphaffenhofen A/D.

Graham became the groups’ 17th air ace and one of the fastest to score five in the air, following only Bert Marshall in shortest time from first combat flight in elapsed time required to shoot down five.

Following VE Day Graham stayed in the Air Force, received an MS from University of Pittsburg and promoted to Colonel January, 1951, then Brigadier General in 1962 and Major General in 1964. Following a tour in Viet Nam with 5AF HQ 1966-1967 he was promoted to Lieutenant General in 1968, commanding Fifth Air Force then Sixth Allied Tactical Air Force in Turkey before retiring in 1973.

Final score was 7 destroyed, one probable and 1 damaged in the air, plus 9.5 destroyed and 4 damaged on the ground. He flew 72 missions in WWII, 146 in SE Asia flying F-4’s.

Awards: SS, DFC (2), AM (22)

a/c assigned: P-51D-10 44-14275 WR-F “Down for Double”, P-51D P-51D-15 44-15255 WR-F “Down for Double”

[ThunderThud]