ROBERT J. GRAFF, LT, USN
Robert Graff '67
Lucky Bag
From the 1967 Lucky Bag:
ROBERT JOHN GRAFF
Perkasie, Pennsylvania
After graduating from Pennridge H.S. in Perkasie, Pennsylvania, where he served in the Naval Reserve, Bob came to Annapolis. A consistent member of the Dean's or Superintendent's list, he had little difficulty with academics and displayed willingness to help his classmates whenever asked for aid. Since Bob had such an easy time with the books, he was able to log quite a few hours of sleep during the week to rest up for the weekends, when his interests included cars, trips home, tennis, movies, and dating. His interest in cars led him to become a member of the First Class Car Committee. Bob prepared himself well for success in whatever career he finally decides on.
ROBERT JOHN GRAFF
Perkasie, Pennsylvania
After graduating from Pennridge H.S. in Perkasie, Pennsylvania, where he served in the Naval Reserve, Bob came to Annapolis. A consistent member of the Dean's or Superintendent's list, he had little difficulty with academics and displayed willingness to help his classmates whenever asked for aid. Since Bob had such an easy time with the books, he was able to log quite a few hours of sleep during the week to rest up for the weekends, when his interests included cars, trips home, tennis, movies, and dating. His interest in cars led him to become a member of the First Class Car Committee. Bob prepared himself well for success in whatever career he finally decides on.
Loss
Robert was lost on March 17, 1971 when the A-7E Corsair II he was piloting crashed near Lemoore Naval Air Facility, California. He was a member of Attack Squadron (VA) 122.
Other Information
From The 5th Battalion Anniversary Book:
Navy LT Robert J. Graff, 26, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Graff of Hilltown Township, Pennsylvania was killed in March 1971 in an airplane crash during a training mission in Blythe, California. Bob was a Vietnam veteran, and a graduate of Pennridge High School in Pennsylvania.
He was flying an A-7E attack aircraft and was practicing low-level maneuvers when his plane crashed and exploded. Lt. Graff was on a routine training flight from the Lemoore Naval Air Facility near Fresno. During his tour of duty in Vietnam, he was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard and flew 25 combat missions.
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Known as “Skip,” he graduated in 1963 from Pennridge High School. “Wields a humorous dagger … disproves axiom that intelligent students don’t have cars … possesses heralded ability to ease tension in class … happy with Reuby … proud midshipman … lives for a goal.” Tennis 3, 4; PENNANT yearbook staff, National Honor Society. He won a college scholarship to Lafayette College. He received his Navy flight training at Pensacola, Meridian, Beeville and Jacksonville. For his flight service in Southeast Asia, he received the Air Medal in May 1970. He suffered a foot injury during his tour in Vietnam and was treated at a Navy installation in Philadelphia before being sent to Lemoore.
On March 24, funeral services were held at Calvary Church near Souderton, Pennsylvania. Burial was in Whitemarsh Memorial Park, Prospectville.
Survived by his parents Robert A. and Esther Graff, and maternal grandparents Robert and Mabel Rabiger.
He is buried in Pennsylvania.
Photographs
From the News Herald on March 24, 1971
From The Daily Intelligencer on March 20, 1971
From The Morning Call on March 22, 1971
Related Articles
Robert Hughes '67 and Robert Tuttle '67 were also in 25th Company.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.