Terrence Collinson Graves (1945 - 1968)

Born 6 Jul 1945 in Corpus Christi, Nueces, Texas, United States

Died 16 Feb 1968 at age 22 in Quang Nam, Vietnam

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Darlene Kerr [send private message]

Biography

Terrence Graves is Notable.

Terrence Graves was awarded the Medal of Honor.

2nd Lieutenant Terrence Graves was Killed in Action in Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

2nd Lt. Terrence Graves served in the United States Marine Corps in the Vietnam War
Service started: 1967
Unit(s): 3rd Force Reconnaissance Co., 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division
Service ended: 1968

Birth

Terrence Collinson Graves was born on 6 July 1945 in Corpus Christi, Nueces, Texas, United States to Leslie Collinson Graves and Marjorie Edith Church.

Military Service

He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1967. His tour start date was 10 December 1967, as an infantry officer. He was in the 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division.

Military Honors

His Citation for the Medal of Honor:

Medal of Honor.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a platoon commander with the 3d Force Reconnaissance Company. While on a long-range reconnaissance mission, 2d Lt. Graves' 8-man patrol observed 7 enemy soldiers approaching their position. Reacting instantly, he deployed his men and directed their fire on the approaching enemy. After the fire had ceased, he and 2 patrol members commenced a search of the area, and suddenly came under a heavy volume of hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior enemy force. When 1 of his men was hit by the enemy fire, 2d Lt. Graves moved through the fire-swept area to his radio and, while directing suppressive fire from his men, requested air support and adjusted a heavy volume of artillery and helicopter gunship fire upon the enemy. After attending the wounded, 2d Lt. Graves, accompanied by another marine, moved from his relatively safe position to confirm the results of the earlier engagement. Observing that several of the enemy were still alive, he launched a determined assault, eliminating the remaining enemy troops. He then began moving the patrol to a landing zone for extraction, when the unit again came under intense fire which wounded 2 more marines and 2d Lt. Graves. Refusing medical attention, he once more adjusted air strikes and artillery fire upon the enemy while directing the fire of his men. He led his men to a new landing site into which he skillfully guided the incoming aircraft and boarded his men while remaining exposed to the hostile fire. Realizing that 1 of the wounded had not em barked, he directed the aircraft to depart and, along with another marine, moved to the side of the casualty. Confronted with a shortage of ammunition, 2d Lt. Graves utilized supporting arms and directed fire until a second helicopter arrived. At this point, the volume of enemy fire intensified, hitting the helicopter and causing it to crash shortly after liftoff. All aboard were killed. 2d Lt. Graves' outstanding courage, superb leadership and indomitable fighting spirit throughout the day were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Death and Burial

2nd Lt. Terrence C. Graves died on 16 February 1968 in Quang Nam, the Republic of Vietnam at the age of 22. He was single. He was buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Hamilton, Madison, New York. Find A Grave: Memorial #7030509

Sources

• Congressional Medal of Honor Society [1]
• Wikipedia on Terrence Graves[2]
• US Vietnam War Military Casualties.
• US School Yearbook from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio in 1965. The Recensio.
• Marine Corps History. [3]