This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Graham, Gordon Marion (Gordy), Lt Gen USAF(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Taft, California
Last Address Lancaster, Virginia
Date of Passing Mar 22, 2008
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
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 Gordon M. Graham (AFSN: 0-7661/AO 424744), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Vice Commander of the SEVENTH Air Force, during the period from 15 July 1966 to 15 August 1967. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Graham reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
General Orders: Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-259 (July 20, 1967)
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) Gordon M. Graham (AFSN: 0-7661/AO 424744), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane and Commander of the 354th Fighter Squadron, EIGHTH Air Force, in action from October 1944 to April 1945. To better equip himself for the responsibilities attendant to leading Fighter units in combat, Colonel Graham flew practically every position in the squadron formation. His willingness to share in the same risks and dangers as the other pilots quickly earned for him the respect and admiration of the entire unit. As proof of his combat skill, enthusiasm, and zealous fighting spirit, Colonel Graham can look with pride on his outstanding record of nine enemy planes destroyed between 8 April 1945 and 16 April 1945. Colonel Graham's earnest prosecution of the aerial offensive against the enemy during this period reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
General Orders: Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 101 (1945)
Aircraft/Missile Information
Specifications StatsCentral Model Republic P-47D Thunderbolt Length 36.15 ft | 11.02 m Width 40.68 ft | 12.40 m Height 14.67 ft | 4.47 m Engine(s) 1 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59 Double-Wasp eighteen cylinder radial engine generating 2,535hp. Empty Weight 9,949 lbs | 4,513 kg MTOW 17,500 lbs | 7,938 kg Max Speed 433 mph | 697 km/h | 376 kts Max Range 449 miles | 722 km Ceiling 40,994 ft | 12,495 m | 7.8 miles Climb Rate 3,200 ft/min (976 m/min) Hardpoints 3 Armament 8 x 12.7mm Machine Guns 10 x 5 in Air-to-Surface HE Rockets
Provision for bomb load, fuel drop tanks or rockets to a maximum of 2,500lbs (1,134kg). Accommodations 1
Major Variants
* XP-47B - Prototype featuring XR-2800 radial generating 1,850hp. * P-47B - Production model based on XP-47B prototype; R-2800-21 radial engine. * P-47C - Extended fuselage; Later types of this model featuring R-2800-59 radial at 2,300hp; Provisions for drop tanks and bombs. * P-47D - Main production model of which 12,602 produced; R-2800-21W (2,300hp) or R-2800-59W (2,535hp) water-injected radial powerplants; Increased MTOW capacity; Provision for drop tanks and air-to-surface HE rockets. * P-47G - Wright-produced P-47D models of which 354 produced. * P-47M - 'Sprinter' interception model designed to combat the V1 / V2 rocket threat; Featured specialized airbrake system and R-2800-57(C) radial generating 2,800hp; 130 produced. * P-47N - Exclusive Pacific Theater model; Long range variant with increased and reinforced wing section of which 1,816 produced; Longer wingspan with blunt-tipped wing tips concealing fuel compartments; R-2800-77 radial generating 2,800hp.
