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Donald
W.
Graham
1917

–

Donald Graham graduated from the University of California in 1939. As a fighter pilot during World War II, he was credited with shooting down one enemy aircraft in aerial combat. After World War II, while transferring to the new United States Air Force, he graduated from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. He retired in 1971 as a U.S. Air Force Major General.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Donald W. Graham (ASN: 0-25247), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Graham and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    357th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Donald W. Graham (ASN: 0-25247), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane and Commander of the 357th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy over enemy-occupied Continental Europe during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Force of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    357th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Donald W. Graham (ASN: 0-25247), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane and Commander of the 357th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy over enemy-occupied Continental Europe during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Force of the United States.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Donald W. Graham (ASN: 0-25247), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Graham and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    August 10, 1967 – July 31, 1969
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 531 (December 10, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Donald W. Graham (ASN: 0-25247), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Graham distinguished himself as Deputy Chief of Staff, Maintenance Engineering, Headquarters Air Force Logistics Command, from 10 August 1967 to 31 July 1969. Throughout this period, General Graham consistently exhibited the highest degree of managerial ability and integrity in directing unique programs and projects to insure maximum support of Department of Defense commitments with the most sophisticated Air Force weapons systems and under the most advanced logistics concepts. In each aspect of his myriad and important responsibilities, General Graham demonstrated the leadership demanded for attainment of Air Force objectives. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Graham reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    357th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    March 8, 1944
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 531 (December 10, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Air Corps) Donald W. Graham (ASN: 0-25247), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane and Commander of the 357th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy on 8 March 1944. Leading his Group of P-51 fighters on an escort mission over Europe, Colonel Graham sighted three FW-190s closing in on a straggling bomber. In spite of the odds, he unhesitatingly made a savage attack, destroying one FW-190 and forcing the others to withdraw, thus making it possible for the crippled bomber to continue on unmolested. With his oxygen supply exhausted and the engine of his plane malfunctioning, Colonel Graham descended to a lower altitude, where he encountered three ME-109s. Disregarding the condition of his aircraft and with only one gun operating, he aggressively attacked, positioning himself on the tail of one ME-109. Following the enemy down in a steep dive, he scored several direct hits but lost sight of the aircraft while being subjected to a heavy concentration of ground fire. Colonel Graham’s courage, skill, and gallant leadership on this and other occasions served as an inspiration to all flying with him.