Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Air Force Veteran Edgar A. Grabhorn. Edgar served during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Edgar served in the Air Force for 27 years, from 1942 to 1969.
In an interview with the Veteran’s History Project, Edgar describes joining the Aviation Cadets in 1942 once he turned 18. Edgar’s unit was deployed to the Eastern Front and had targets in Nazi occupied Europe. He flew missions in Belgium, France and Germany. One of his targets in Germany was an oil refinery northeast of Berlin. During this mission, German fighters shot down Edgar’s plane. Edgar was held as a prisoner of war in Germany until he was liberated in April 1945.
Despite a severe leg injury, Edgar returned to flying duty in 1947. Edgar remained in the Air Force throughout the Korean War and flew reconnaissance missions over China, Korea and Russia. Edgar also flew reconnaissance missions in Eastern Europe and Asia during the 1950’s.
In 1964, Edgar was stationed at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. where he worked on several electrical projects that would eventually be used in the field. He would travel to sites in Vietnam to monitor the field tests of these electronics. Edgar remained at the Pentagon until the end of his service in 1969.
While Edgar was in the service, he received a degree in electrical engineering and worked in telecommunications after being honorably discharged from the Air Force. After his retirement, Edgar pursued his passion for painting and art. Edgar was married in 1953 and has many children and grandchildren.
Edgar passed away on Dec. 29, 2010.
We honor his service.
Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay
Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? You’re in luck! VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.
It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.
Veterans History Project
This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.
Graphic By Kierra Willis: Kierra Willis is a Graphic Communication Major at the University of Maryland University College. She currently has an AAS in Graphic Design and Visual Communications.
Topics in this story
More Stories
This week’s Honoring Veterans Spotlight honors the service of Navy Veteran Ken Mattingly, who served as a pilot during the 1950s and later became an astronaut during the Apollo missions.
This week’s Honoring Veterans Spotlight honors the service of Air Force Veteran Gavino Cavazos, who served from 1949 to 1973 during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
This week’s Honoring Veterans Spotlight honors the service of Army Veteran Howard Brown, who served during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1969 and the Gulf War from 1969 to 1992.
