Army Air Forces Veteran Thomas A. Graven is today's Veteran of the Day.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Air Forces Veteran Thomas A. Graven, who served during World War II with the 492nd Bomb Group.

Thomas Graven was born in 1922 in Moultrie County, Illinois. He enlisted into the Army Air Forces in 1942 while he was living in Findlay, Illinois.

Graven’s job in the Army Air Forces was as a co-pilot flying B-24s. He served with the 492nd Bomb Group, 14th Bomb Wing, 2nd Air Division of the 8th Air Force in England. His unit flew 66 missions but disbanded after 89 days due to losing three-quarters of their personnel. Out of those 66 missions, Graven flew on all 66 of them, including two missions that had occurred on D-Day.

During his service, he received a Distinguished Flying Cross and five Air Medals.

Graven discharged from the Army Air Forces and went to work at an aircraft compass company in Bridgeton, Missouri. He also attended Washington University using the GI Bill and graduated with a degree in biology and education. After graduation, Graven joined the Army Reserve and retired as a lieutenant colonel.

Graven passed away in 2009.

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? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. 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/.


Contributors

Editors: Essence McPherson/Jenna Robles

Fact checker: Vivian Hurney

Graphic artist: Joe Misko

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3 Comments

  1. Senior Veterans Care Network May 12, 2020 at 15:15

    We honor the service of Thomas Graven.

  2. Louis Nieves May 10, 2020 at 23:26

    I salute you as a fellow air force vet I am proud of you!

  3. Dennis Kariores SR May 9, 2020 at 18:08

    CONGRATS really some extraordinary achievements
    I’m super impressed your only very few that can accomplish what you have
    YOUR well deserving of all your outstanding accomplishments
    I’m PROUD to have the opportunity to text message you
    CMSGT retired Kariores Sr

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