MERRILL'S MARAUDERS Graham, William Munro

[John Robertson]

• SURNAME

Graham​

• FORENAME

William Munro​

• UNIT

​

• RANK

Captain​

• NUMBER

0-1100121​

• AWARD

Bronze Star​

• PLACE

Burma 1944​

• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

born 09.04.1910 Bannockburn, Scotland​

mother Annie Cameron Graham​

4 years college​

civil occupation Draftsmen​

employed by United States Gypsum Company, Chicago, Illinois​

single without dependents upon enlistment​

resided 6810½ South Lowe Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois (draft card_​

16.10.1940 draft card Chicago, Cook County, Illinois​

03.01.1941 entered service Chicago, Illinois (service # 36000563)​

1942 comissioned​

475 Infantry Regiment 1944-45​

combat engineer​

1946 discharged final rank Major​

wife Mary Jane (nee Shreve) Graham (1921-2004)​

died 06.09.2000 Sun City, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA​

Congressional Church of Sun City Columbarium, Sun City, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA​

​

 

[RMJ47]

• SURNAME

Graham​

• FORENAME

William M.​

• UNIT

​

• RANK

Captain​

• NUMBER

0-1100121​

• AWARD

Bronze Star​

• PLACE

Burma 1944​

• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

475 Infantry Regiment 1944-45​

Hi where were you able to confirm that Major Graham received the bronze star? I am his grandson. He never actually recieved the physical award and I am attempting to have it authorized and awarded. His army records were destroyed in the APRC fire unfortunately. You can email me at RMJ47@cornell.edu

 

[Craig Robertson]

Hi where were you able to confirm that Major Graham received the bronze star? I am his grandson. He never actually recieved the physical award and I am attempting to have it authorized and awarded. His army records were destroyed in the APRC fire unfortunately. You can email me at RMJ47@cornell.edu

"The men of Merrill's Marauders enjoyed the rare distinction of having each soldier awarded the Bronze Star."
Do you have further details of your grandfather so i can update his record, such as date of birth, etc.
Best regards, Craig

 

[RMJ47]

Hi Craig, I should have been more specific in my response. Am aware of the rare unit-wide citation but have been unable to locate unit rosters or morning reports with my grandfather listed as a member of the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional). The NPRC recently confirmed many of his records were destroyed in the 1973 fire.

I submitted a recent request to the Awards and Decorations Branch requesting the issuance of a Bronze Star and Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, both of which appear to have never been officially awarded to him for some reason. Our main piece of supporting evidence is the fact that his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Separation Form) lists "GO 54, WD 44" under Decorations and Citations. This specific General Order awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation to the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), as I'm sure you know.

I was intrigued that you correctly cited his Army Personnel number as 0-1100121. He enlisted under Army Serial Number 36000563 and later received his officer commission under 0-1100121, which he used during his Merrill’s Marauders service. Generally that info is not widely found without supporting documents.

His full name is William Munro Graham. He was born 9 April 1910. He was born in Scotland, emigrated as a boy and lived in the Chicago area. He passed away on 6 September 2000 in Sun City, AZ.

He was a combat engineer.

Thanks for the work you do.

 

[RMJ47]

A few of his insignia, awards, and personal effects we have saved attached.

Should note he served from 1939 - 1946, graduating officer candidate school in 1942 and ending his career as a Major.

 

[Craig Robertson]

Thanks, i have updated your grandfather's record. I checked the Merrill's Marauders roster last night from early 1944 and couldn't see your grandfather listed. I will my father's books further and see if i can see him mentioned in any.

 

[RMJ47]

Appreciate your help! Will keep you posted on any response from the army.

From my grandfather's diary it appears he was assigned 1Bn and attached 3Bn during the attack on Myitkyina in case that helps!

 

[RMJ47]

Any luck in finding references in your fathers journal?

Are you able to share any of the rosters you have? After further research he would have likely been a part or the service company / supply detachment at Dinjan HQ.

 

[Craig Robertson]

Any luck in finding references in your fathers journal?

Are you able to share any of the rosters you have? After further research he would have likely been a part or the service company / supply detachment at Dinjan HQ.

Sorry i checked all the books i could see and no reference to your grandfather.
The only roster i can see is the January 1944 one, will send you it this evening.