474th FG 42-104399 1 April 1945

[Eagle0025]

Hello Phil,Yes, you are correct about 2Lt. Graham going down on 31 Mar 45 in P-38L-5-LO, serial no. 44-25497. It was a 429th FS ship coded 7Y-W.The mission that day was an armed recce in the area bounded by Marburg, Horn, Seesen, Northeim, Weitzenhausen, Kassel, and Marburg. Somewhere in the area of Schmallenberg, Graham's P-38 was hit by flak and he had to bail out. He was seen by fellow pilots to ditch his parachute and rund east into the woods after he hit the ground. His crash and bailout area was estimated to be 4 miles northwest of Schmallenberg.Graham was captured by German troops, but was not in their company for long. Advancing U.S. troops overran the prison camp where he was held and liberated it. Graham returned to the 474th around 15 Apr 45. Paul Hissey, a squadron mate of Graham's, had a funny story about this mission. He mentioned how they thought old Milt had been captured so the other pilots went through his personal belongings and took what they wanted and drank his personal liquor supply. Paul said Graham was really ticked off when he returned to the unit two weeks later and found most of his things missing. Paul told me that is likely why Milt never attended any of the group's reunions after the war! Graham was also one of three former 474th FG pilots to stay in the Air Force after the war and rise to the rank of General.Ask whatever questions you may have on the 474th. I'm only too happy to help you out Cheers, Gary