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Iwo Jima survivor speaks at WWII History Roundtable Program at Audie Murphy Museum
By Skipper Steely, WWII History Roundtable
Jul 25, 2024
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Greenville, Texas -- Iwo Jima survivor Corporal Donald Graves was the featured speaker at the World War II History Roundtable meeting held July 25 at the American Cotton/Audie Murphy Museum in Greenville. The community was invited to hear this 99-year-old tell of the horrific 1945 invasion of the small Pacific island.

photo of Don Graves made in 1942 at Camp Pendleton
Graves was a 20-year-old native of Detroit, Michigan when he landed on shore with his unit of 335 men. Three days later he saw the American flag going up on Mount Suribachi, but fighting went on. Six weeks later he was among only 18 of his group to survive. A public speaker and singer with a ministerial background, Graves eventually became a Texan, at times singing the National Anthem at sporting events. He averages over 100 engagements per year.

Graves has lost little energy despite his nine decades plus and says he keeps on because “there are too many young people to educate, comrades to honor, and audiences to entertain before I stop.”