Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Another McGraw Elementary School and a Medal of Honor Winner


We aren't the only town that had a McGraw Elementary School!

Welcome to Francis X. McGraw Elementary School, in Camden New Jersey!



They call it "Marvelous McGraw." Well, they don't have to tell us that, do they? Go Mustangs!

Who is Francis X. McGraw and why did they name a school after him? Allow me to introduce US Army Private First Class Francis X. McGraw.


I'm sorry to say that we are not related to this gentleman, because he is the dictionary definition of a Hero. He is one of TWO McGraws who have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Sadly he lost his life in defense of our country. The below article from the October 30, 1945, Camden Courier-Post tells his story. . . 


His posthumous award of the Medal of Honor was followed by other honors. 


The USNS Private Francis X. McGraw (T-AK-241) was a Victory-class cargo ship built at the end of World War II and served the war and its demilitarization as a commercial cargo vessel.

There was also a military installation in southern Munich, Germany, called the McGraw Kaserne which was used by the U.S. Military during the occupation of Germany after World War II named for Pvt. McGraw.


Private McGraw was laid to rest at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, in Henri-Chapelle, Belgium.

I said there were two McGraws who awarded the Medal of Honor and a future Blog post will tell you about Thomas McGraw who was awarded his Medal for service during the Civil War.



Some photos used in this post came from:
And are used under Creative Commons License


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