Battles/wars World War I Battles and wars World War I Name Ora Graves | Died September 28, 1961 Awards Medal of Honor Unit USS Pennsylvania | |
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Born July 26, 1896
Las Animas, Colorado ( 1896-07-26 ) Place of burial Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery San Diego, California Rank Gunner’s Mate Second Class | ||
Allegiance United States of America Service/branch United States Navy | ||
Ora Graves (July 26, 1896 – September 28, 1961) was a sailor in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War I.
Contents
Biography
Graves was born in Las Animas, Colorado, on July 26, 1896. He died September 28, 1961 and is buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery San Diego, California. His gravesite is located in section W grave 1208.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 26 July 1896, Los Animas, Colo. Accredited to: Nebraska. G.O. No.: 366, 1918.
Citation:
For extraordinary heroism on 23 July 1917, while the U.S.S. Pittsburgh was proceeding to Buenos Aires, Argentina. A 3-inch saluting charge exploded, causing the death of C. T. Lyles, seaman. Upon the explosion, Graves was blown to the deck, but soon recovered and discovered burning waste on the deck. He put out the burning waste while the casemate was filled with clouds of smoke, knowing that there was more powder there which might explode.