Graves Hall

Photographed By Kevin W., October 8, 2007

1. Graves Hall Marker

Inscription. Named in honor of
Second Lieutenant Terrence C. Graves
United States Marine Corps

Third Force Reconnaissance Company
Third Reconnaissance Battalion
Third Marine Division

Awarded the Medal of Honor (Posthumously)
for action against the enemy forces in
the republic of South Vietnam on
16 February 1968

He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Erected by the United States Marine Corps.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 16, 1968.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 30.066′ N, 77° 26.557′ W. Marker was near Stafford, Virginia, in Stafford County. Marker was on Belleau Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 24195 Belleau Avenue, Quantico VA 22134, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 12 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Manion Hall (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Graves Hall (about 400 feet away); Haas Hall (about 400 feet away); McGlothlin Hall (about 500 feet away); O'Bannon Hall (about 800 feet away); Lopez Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pokorney Hall

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Mitchell Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Marine Officers Basic Class 6-67 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Basic School Class of 2-1965 (approx. 0.2 miles away); 9th Special Basic Class (approx. 0.2 miles away); 10th Special Basic Class (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stafford.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The 2dLt Graves memorial in Groton (Tompkins County), New York.

Also see . . .
1. Terrence C. Graves. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on June 16, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. 2LT Terrence Collinson Graves. Find A Grave website entry (Submitted on June 16, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Additional commentary.
1. Medal of Honor Citation
The President of the United States, in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting
the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to:

SECOND LIEUTENANT TERRENCE C. GRAVES
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a Platoon Commander with the Third Force Reconnaissance Company, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, Third Marine

Photographed By Kevin W., October 8, 2007

2. Graves Hall Marker

Marker can be seen attached to the building, to the left of the entrance doors.

Division, in the Republic of Vietnam on 16 February 1968. While on a large-range reconnaissance mission, Lieutenant Grave's eight-man patrol observed seven enemy soldiers approaching their position. Reacting instantly, he deployed his men and directed their fire on the approaching enemy. After the fire had ceased, he and two patrol members commenced a search of the area, and suddenly came under a heavy volume of hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior enemy force. When one of his men was hit by enemy fire, Lieutenant Graves moved through the fire-swept area to his radio and, while directing suppressive fire from his men, requested air support and adjusted a heavy volume of artillery and helicopter gunship fire upon the enemy. After attending the wounded, Lieutenant Graves, accompanied by another Marine, moved from his relatively safe position to confirm the results of the earlier engagement. Observing that several of the enemy were still alive, he launched a determined assault, eliminating the remaining enemy troops. He then began moving the patrol to a landing zone for extraction, when the unit again came under intense fire which wounded two more Marines and Lieutenant Graves. Refusing medical attention, he once more adjusted air strikes and artillery fire upon the enemy while directing the fire of his men. He led his men to a new landing site into which he skillfully guided the in-coming aircraft and boarded his men while remaining exposed to the hostile fire. Realizing that one of the wounded had not embarked, he directed the aircraft to

Second Lieutenant Terrence C. Graves image. Click for full size.

Official USMC Photograph

3. Second Lieutenant Terrence C. Graves

depart and, along with another Marine, moved to the side of the causality. Confronted with a shortage of ammunition, Lieutenant Graves utilized supporting arms and directed fire until a second helicopter arrived. At this point, the volume of enemy fire intensified, hitting the helicopter and causing it to crash shortly after liftoff. All aboard were killed. Lieutenant Graves' outstanding courage, superb leadership and indomitable fighting spirit throughout the day were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

/S/Richard M. Nixon

— Submitted October 16, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.

Photographed By Kevin W., October 8, 2007

4. Graves Hall Marker

Memorial wall dedicated to Second Lieutenant Graves, immediately inside the entrance to Graves Hall.

Display items presented to Edmeston Central School image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barbara Finley, Class of 1963, Edmeston Central School, June 26, 2008

5. Display items presented to Edmeston Central School

This photograph is of the plaques and display case presented to Edmeston Central School on June 28, 2008 by the Class of 1963, Terry's classmates. The school is planning an expansion to the sport's wing in spring 2009, and these items will be prominently displayed there.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,535 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 16, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 5. submitted on July 1, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.