b. 26/07/1896 Las Animas, Colorado. d. 28/09/1961 El Cajon, California.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 23/07/1917 aboard USS Pittsburgh.
Ora Graves MOH
Graves was born in Las Animas, Colorado, on July 26, 1896. He was the son of Edward and Alice Lauretta Graves. He moved to Nebraska, where he decided to enter the US Navy. He received the award for his actions as a seaman on July 23, 1917 while on board the USS Pittsburgh in the Atlantic Ocean on route to Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was presented with his Medal of Honor on board USS Pittsburgh on 27 July 1918 from Captain G. B. Bradshaw.
MOH CITATION:
For extraordinary heroism on 23 July 1917, while the U.S.S. Pittsburgh was proceeding to Buenos Aires, Argentina. A 3-inch saluting charge exploded, causing the death of C.T. Lyles, seaman. Upon the explosion, Graves was blown to the deck, but soon recovered and discovered burning waste on the deck. He put out the burning waste while the casemate was filled with clouds of smoke, knowing that there was more powder there which might explode.
BURIAL LOCATION: FORT ROSECRANS NATIONAL CEMETERY, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA.
SECTION W, GRAVE 1208.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
