James E. Graffius, 76, of 120 N. Main St. died Tuesday at Veterans
Administration Medical Center in Syracuse.
Born in Altoona, Pa., he lived in the Cortland area for more than 50
years.
Mr. Graffius was a carpenter for many years. In his later years, he was
a watchman at the state Armory for 15 years.
During World War II, he served with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division in
Central Europe, Normandy and the Rhineland.
He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and Cortland Moose
Club.
Surviving are two sons, Lawrence of Cortland and Edward of Groton; a
daughter, Sharon Cordary of Hackensack, N.J.; two grandchildren; and
three nieces.
There are no local services. Private burial is in Arlington National
Cemetery, Arlington, Va.
Calling hours are 6 to 8 p.m. today at Wright-Beard Funeral Home, 9
Lincoln Ave., Cortland.
Contributions may be made to charity.
(The Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY, 22 Aug 1997,
Page C4 - courtesy of Tedd Cocker) |
(photo courtesy of David McInturff)Grave marker for James E.
Graffius in Section: 67, Site: 1207 of Arlington National Cemetery,
Arlington (Arlington County), Virginia.
.James enlisted in the
Army at Binghamton, NY on October 30, 1942, just days after the 508th
PIR had been activated. He volunteered for parachutist duty and was sent
to Camp Blanding, FL where the regiment was just tuning up.
Pfc Graffius was
severely wounded on Jun 15, 1944, earning his first Purple Heart nine
days after jumping into France on D-Day,
James was wounded again on
January 31, 1945 in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge and was
awarded the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster.. |
