Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Technician Fifth Grade

    Division:

    THIRD U.S. Army

    Action Date:

    April 7, 1945

    Headquarters, THIRD U.S. Army, General Orders No. 99 (May 10, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technician Fifth Grade John M. Graham (ASN: 19138644), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with 502d Quartermaster Car Company, in action at Apfelstadt, Germany, on 7 April 1945. While in action as a driver of a quarter-ton vehicle on a mission of extreme importance, the inspection party led by Technician Fifth Grade Graham’s commanding officer was ambushed near Apfelstadt, Germany, by a numerically superior enemy force. During the fire fight that ensued, the driver of another vehicle in the group was seriously wounded while manning the machine gun on his quarter-ton vehicle and called for help. With utter disregard for his own personal safety, Technician Fifth Grade Graham exposed himself to enemy fire by crawling onto the open road and dragging the wounded man to safety. He then, under intense small arms fire, ran for the quarter-ton vehicle, started it, backed it around, still under fire, and slowed down long enough for another officer in the party to jump in before driving down the road in a hail of fire to secure aid and relief for others in the party. Shortly thereafter, he returned with a small task force and aided in the recovery of the bodies of two members of the party and the escape of a third member who had been in hiding. Technician Fifth Grade Graham’s gallant actions and selfless devotion to duty, without regard for his own safety, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.