Brig. Gen. Davis Dunbar Graves was born at Buffalo, New York, on August 29, 1903. He was graduated from Leland Stanford Junior University, California, in 1927, with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and enlisted as a Flying Cadet on February 24, 1928. He was appointed a second lieutenant, Air Reserve, on February 28, 1929, and was called to active duty on March 1, 1929. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air Corps, Regular Army, on May 2, 1929.
SERVICE
Upon being called to active duty in March 1929, he was assigned to Rockwell Field, Coronado, California, where he joined the 95th Pursuit Squadron as Supply Officer. In October 1930 he became Flight Commander, “C” Flight, 95th Pursuit Squadron, and then accompanied this squadron to March Field, California, in October 1931. He was assigned to the Air Corps Technical School, Chanute Field, Rantoul, Illinois, in August 1933, and completed the Engineering Armament Course in June 1934.
He then went to Albrook Field, Panama Canal Zone, for duty with the 78th Pursuit Squadron as Armament Officer and Station Ordnance Officer. In July 1935 he transferred to the 24th Pursuit Squadron, Albrook Field, until July 1936 when he became Wing Adjutant, 19th Composite Wing, at the same station. He returned to the United States the following December, and proceeded to Bolling Field, District of Columbia, as Squadron Adjutant, 14th Air Base Squadron. He was named Post Adjutant at Bolling Field in July 1937.
His next assignment was to Maxwell Field, Alabama, where he joined the 23d Composite Group as Operations Officer in October 1939. He served in this capacity until the following January when he was assigned as a student officer to the Air Corps Tactical School at Maxwell Field. He was graduated in March 1940, and then resumed his former duties as Operations Officer, 23d Composite Group, at Maxwell Field. In December 1940 he moved to Orlando Air Base, Orlando, Florida, in the same capacity, and served there until July 1941.
He was then designated Commanding Officer of the 56th Pursuit Group, III Interceptor Command, Charlotte Army Air Base, Charlotte, North Carolina, until June 1942 when he became Regional Commander, New York Region (later, New York Air Defense Wing), I Fighter Command, with station at Mitchel Field, New York. He assumed command of the 2d Air Defense Wing (later redesignated 63d Fighter Wing) in December 1942, at Mitchel Field and moved with his wing to the North African Theater in January 1943. On February 8, 1944, he was reported missing in action while flying as Flight Commander aboard a B-25 of the 310th Bomb Group, which was shot down by antiaircraft fire during a low-level attack on enemy shipping at Porto Santo Stefano, Italy.
General Graves was declared dead on February 9, 1945.
He was rated a Senior Pilot.
PROMOTIONS
Flying Cadet, Air Corps, February 24, 1928, to February 28, 1929; Second Lieutenant, Air Reserve, February 28, 1929; Second Lieutenant, Air Corps, May 2, 1929; First Lieutenant, October 1, 1934; Captain (temporary), March 15, 1935, to June 16, 1936; Captain, May 2, 1939; Major (temporary), March 15, 1941; Major, A.U.S., October 10, 1941; Lieutenant Colonel (temporary), January 5, 1942; Lieutenant Colonel, A.U.S., August 3, 1942; Colonel, A.U.S., August 18, 1942; Brigadier General, A.U.S., January 21, 1944.
DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Order of the British Empire (Commander).