[Gordon M. Graham oral history interview]

Details

IntervieweeGraham, Gordon M. (Gordon Marion), 1918-Datecirca 1960s-1990sLanguageEnglishDescriptionIn this four-part oral history, fighter ace Gordon M. Graham discusses his military service with the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.

In part one, he describes his experiences as a fighter pilot and begins to discuss his time with the 355th Fighter Group in England. Topics discussed include his personal background, his training history, and a bomber escort mission over Germany on December 25, 1944.

In part two, he continues to describe his experiences as a fighter pilot while serving with the 355th Fighter Group in England. Topics discussed include a bomber escort mission over Germany on December 25, 1944 and stories about fellow pilots.

In part three, he continues to describe his experiences as a fighter pilot while serving with the 355th Fighter Group in England. Special focus on a bomber escort mission over Germany on December 25, 1944.

In part four, he provides clarifying details regarding his wartime experiences and the combat mission discussed in the previous interviews. Topics discussed include his personal background, his training history, and a bomber escort mission over Germany on December 25, 1944.Biographical NoteGordon M. Graham was born on February 16, 1918 in Ouray, Colorado. In 1940, he graduated from the University of California with a degree in petroleum engineering and shortly afterward joined the United States Army Air Forces. After serving for several years as a flight instructor, Graham joined the 355th Fighter Group as commander of the 354th Fighter Squadron in England. He remained in the military after World War II and held a number of command positions with the Air Force. He also flew missions in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War; between the three wars, he accumulated over 1,000 combat hours in fighter aircraft. Over the course of his career, Graham served with the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing, the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing, the Nineteenth Air Force, the Seventh Air Force, the Ninth Air Force, Tactical Air Command, and the Sixth Allied Tactical Air Force. He retired as a lieutenant general in 1973 and passed away in 2008.

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