Sp4 James Leroy Graves, Vietnam Veteran, Native of Burlington, NC. Born December 22, 1944 in Meville, Alamance County, North Carolina and died July 9, 1966 in Vietnam.

Specialist Four James Leroy Graves was a casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Army, SP4 Graves served our country until July 9th, 1966 in South Vietnam. He was 21 years old and was not married. It was reported that James died from multiple fragmentation wounds from a mine. His body was recovered. James was born on December 22nd, 1944 in Melville, North Carolina. SP4 Graves is on panel 09E, line 011 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. He served our country for 2 years.

Journey along thunder road: I was with him the day that he died. It was on the morning of July 9, 1966. We got ambushed on thunder road with no place to run. Orders was given to fight from the tracks. He fought bravely as he fired his M16 until the barrel turned white. After a while things began to get get a little confused with the helicopter dropping ammo. We started running to pickup the ammo and somewhere along the line we got seperated. As I wandered around in the bushes, I came across a soldier lying on his back with a smile like you have never seen before. It was him with his weapon clutched tightly in his hands. He never knew the outcome of the battle that day on thunder road. He was getting short, but I guess he never made it. I am now trying to locate some of his relatives in Burlington, NC. It's been a long time. Willie Singleton, 1719 River Rd, McClellanville, SC 29458.

Graves, James Leroy, Private First Class, US Army, died June 9, 1966, during hostile action in Vietnam. Private Graves, age 20, entered the army in June 1964 after graduating from Central High School in Graham in 1963. He completed basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and had completed a nine-week aircraft engine repair course at the Army Transportation School, Fort Eustis, Virginia.

He is the Son of Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie Graves of Route 5, Burlington, NC.

He served with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, "Big Red One", USARV.

He was awarded The Combat Infantryman's Badge(CIB), The Bronze Star Medal, The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and The Good Conduct Medal.

Burial: Alamance Memorial Park, Burlington, North Carolina. Plot: Garner
(source: Reece, Jim & Reece Thomas;NC Vietnam KIA/MIA's gravesites)