11/10/2026
Please take the time to thank 101 year old Mr Don Graves for his service. My favorite part of last night at the TexasCountryMusicAssociation award show was watching this Hero sing "God Bless America".
Donald "Don" Graves (born 1924/1925) is a World War II veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and a prominent survivor of the Battle of Iwo Jima.
World War II Service
• Enlistment: Graves enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at age 17 in 1942 (after attempting to enlist at 16) following the attack on Pearl Harbor.
• Unit: He served as a Corporal in Dog Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division.
• Flamethrower Operator: He was trained as a flamethrower operator, carrying a heavy 72-pound, 5-gallon liquid fuel weapon. This assignment carried an extremely high casualty rate and short life expectancy during combat.
• Iwo Jima: He landed on the black sands of Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945 (D-Day). His unit took part in the brutal fight to capture Mount Suribachi, where he witnessed the historic first American flag-raising.
• Survival: Out of roughly 300 to 335 men in his initial beach/company unit, only a small handful (around 8 to 18 men, varying by unit count) survived the intense 36-day battle.
Post-War Life & Legacy
• Ministry & Career: After being discharged in January 1946, Graves worked in refrigeration, raised a family, and served as a minister/pastor for 32 years across multiple churches.
• Public Education & Speaking: He became a well-known patriot speaker, singer, and living historian sharing his experiences with younger generations.
• Honors: He has been featured in national events like the PBS National Memorial Day Concert and served as an Honorary Grand Marshal for the National Memorial Day Parade. In 2026, he was honored by the Fort Worth City Council, who renamed a local YMCA community center in his name via the Fort Worth Report. He also recorded a song about his life story titled "The Sands of Iwo Jima".
