World War II Veteran
Goodwin Graham
1925 - 2016
Interviewed by:
Shanique Simms and Shanice Kelly
1943
Mr. Graham was a GunMate 2nd Class
2011
Mr. Graham at his home in Eastham, MA
"During the war, well in those invasions and never knowing whether
you're gonna come home alive or not "
~Mr. Graham (12:13)
Name:
Goodwin Graham
Date of Birth / Death:
February 14, 1925 -
April 6, 2016
Branch of Service:
US Navy (USNR)
Dates of Service:
February 1943 - February 1946
Location of Military Service:
South Pacific (Philippines Islands, Borneo and Java)
Residence at Time of Interview:
Eastham, Massachusetts
Goodwin Graham's Story:
Mr. Goodwin Graham was born on February 14, 1925 in Worcester, Massachusetts. He lived with his parents and two brothers. His brothers were in the military.
At age 17 he decided to enlist in the United States' navy. He participated in World War II. During the war his ship was stationed in the Pacific.
He experienced nine invasions. In one of the nine invasions, his gunboat, the Landing Craft Support was the first of six gunboats to enter the Pacific but was the only one to return.
He left the navy on December, 1945. He finished high school and got his diploma in that same year. In 1946 he attended the University of New Hampshire for two and a half years. Later he became a mortician.
Now he is retired and married to his wife of sixty-five years. He has two children and two grandchildren.
Mr. Graham considered his participation in World War II as a fight for his freedom as an American.
Pictures of Mr. Graham on a gunboat in the Pacific Ocean.
Mr. Graham's medals for his participation in the World War II.
Mr. Graham (middle), Shanice Kelly (left)
and Shanique Simms (right).