Melvin Graham
ASN:33719244
Melvin Bernard Graham registered for the draft on October 16, 1940. Born September 19, 1911, he was from Baltimore, Maryland where he worked for the May Company.
This twenty-nine-year-old was 5-8, 180 pounds with a ruddy complexion, hazel eyes, and blonde hair. A scar on his right leg was listed as an identifying mark on his registration card.
Enlisted in the Army on April 12, 1943, PVT Graham received his training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
After completing basic training, he shipped out to the European Theatre of Operations arriving in England in early 1944.
Company Morning Reports
Company Morning Reports were produced every morning by the individual Army units to record personnel matters. The following events were reported for PVT Graham:
Hospital admission, June 1944, hand injury.
Hospital admission, August 1944, heat exhaustion.
June 26, 1945, remained assigned to A-Battery, 319th Glider Field Artillery, ASR score 49, MOS 345 (Truck driver light trucks). Station: Lubtheen, Germany RT Nord DeGuerre.
September 21, 1945, from duty to TDY 7 days Riviera Recreational Area.
September 30, 1945, from temporary duty Riviera Recreational Area France, to duty. Station: Berlin, Germany.
October 26, 1945, from duty to absent sick 279th General Hospital effective October 24, 1945. Station: Berlin, Germany.
October 31, 1945, from absent sick to duty. Station: Berlin, Germany.
November 28, 1945, transferred in grade to the 131 AAA, Camp Baltimore, per Par 11 SO 254 Hq 82nd A/B Division.
PFC Melvin Graham (R) and Donald Swanson- June ‘45 -Suippes, France
PVT Graham fought in the following battles and campaigns: Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe campaigns.
The US Army used the Adjusted Service Rating Score (ASR) at the end of the war to determine when soldiers were eligible for discharge.
With a score of 49 points in June 1945, Melvin Graham was now a Private First Class and stationed in Berlin, Germany for occupational duty with other 319th soldiers having an ASR score of less than 85. He was housed in what had formerly been a Nazi SS barracks, from August 14, 1945 to November 12, 1945.
PFC Graham returned to the USA on December 30, 1945. To facilitate his return he was attached to the 131st AAA Battalion, A-Battery. Melvin Graham entered New York Harbor after nearly three weeks crossing the Atlantic. He was discharged from the service on January 4, 1946 and returned to civilian life.
He was awarded 3 Bronze Battle Stars, Bronze Arrowhead, Good Conduct Medal, the Belgian Fourragere, 2 Overseas Bars, Presidential Unit Citation Badge with Oak Leaf cluster, Victory Ribbon, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon.
During the post-war years Melvin Graham worked as a district adviser for the Sunpapers Circulation Department in Baltimore, Maryland.
Melvin Graham, 61, died August 13, 1973.
God Bless this hero.
STL Archives
Induction and Enlistment: April 12, 1943, Baltimore, Maryland
Training: Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Camp Forrest, Tennessee. Soldier was a member of the 681st Glider Field Artillery. Upon arrival in the ETO he was attached to the 319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, A-Battery.
Military Occupation (MOS): 345 (Truck driver light truck) Rank: Private First Class
List of Battles/Campaign soldier participated: Normandy, Ardennes, Rhineland, Central Europe. Battle participation document see below.
Dates of service, departures and returns: August 20, 1944 – December 30, 1945
Wounded or Killed in action: Left foot injury June 12, 1944, Camp Forrest, Tennessee.
Decorations and citations: 4 Bronze Battle Stars, Bronze Arrowhead, Good Conduct Medal, the Belgian Fourragere, Presidential Unit Citation Badge with Oak Leaf cluster, Victory Ribbon, World War II Victory Ribbon, and European-African-Middle Easter Theatre Ribbon
Separation date/place from the service: January 4, 1946, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland
