LtCol. Edward W. Graham

Recently some members of HMM-364 received word of the passing of LtCol. Ed Graham, USMC (Ret).  This information came from his son Mr. Rod Graham and was quickly disseminated to some of those who served with him in Vietnam.  We lost contact with Ed for a few years but were fortunate enough to have him for our fall reunion in Washington, D.C. in the fall of 2005.  It was truly an occasion in that he came and joined his old comrades for an outstanding reunion.

Ed, as a Major, arrived in Vietnam in the fall of 1968 and was assigned to the Purple Foxes.  After a change of command from LtCol. Bud Statzer to LtCol. Gene Brady in February 1969, Ed took the reins as Executive Officer.  The spring of 1969 was a time of intense activity and outstanding dedication on the part of everyone in our unit.  The onslaught of fragmentary orders, special missions, losing aircraft, having our own Marines and Navy Corpsmen killed and wounded and a never easing of requirements for more aircraft availability could have brought the squadron to the edge.  Our leaders, however, never faltered.

Giving the men who led our squadron credit for being able to accomplish our mission during this harrowing and impossible time would take a forest of trees to provide enough paper to write it.  Our Commanding Officer was anywhere and everywhere making things work.  As Executive Officer, Ed was his good right arm and our friend.  He was the mortar between the bricks of HMM-364.

Quietly and methodically sitting in his office, our X.O. Ed Graham, was running the squadron, scrounging gear for the Recovery Team, running the show from behind the scenes, taking care of all the administrative items that faced the unit daily ad, at the same time providing his own brand of professional leadership so necessary in the running of a military unit.  A pleasant, sincere, and engaging person, he was quick to respond to all levels of the Foxes he would encounter in his day.  Seldom, if ever, do you have an opportunity to meet a man who epitomizes the words: gentleman, sincere, unselfish, devoted and dedicated as Ed Graham.