THEODORE H. GRAVER, LTJG, USN
Theodore Graver '58
Lucky Bag
From the 1958 Lucky Bag:
THEODORE HENRY GRAVER
Clarksville, Indiana
Ted came to the Academy a month after graduation from New Albany High School in his home state of Indiana. To hear Ted talk you wouldn't think that the world could revolve without the place. While at the Academy, sports and dragging played the largest role in his after hours life. Battalion football, company football, soccer, and Softball were his sporting interests. Ted, known affectionately as "Bear," was class representative for his company each year and a member of the Aeronautical Engineering Club. After graduation, flying will be the next step.
He was also a member of the 2nd Company staff (winter).
THEODORE HENRY GRAVER
Clarksville, Indiana
Ted came to the Academy a month after graduation from New Albany High School in his home state of Indiana. To hear Ted talk you wouldn't think that the world could revolve without the place. While at the Academy, sports and dragging played the largest role in his after hours life. Battalion football, company football, soccer, and Softball were his sporting interests. Ted, known affectionately as "Bear," was class representative for his company each year and a member of the Aeronautical Engineering Club. After graduation, flying will be the next step.
He was also a member of the 2nd Company staff (winter).
Loss
Theodore was lost on July 19, 1960 in an "aircraft accident, Hunter AFB, Savannah, Georgia." (Per the September-October 1960 issue of Shipmate.) Two other men were also lost; they were flying a helicopter from Mayport, Florida to Rhode Island.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Theodore's father was Donald, a plumber and electrician; his mother was Frieda; and he had a brother, Ronald.
He graduated from New Albany High School in 1954. Debate Club, Vice President; Vista Staff newspaper annual; Indiana University Journalism Institute; Band (cornet), Drum Major. He worked with his classmates on radio station WNAS-FM from 1-3 p.m. during the week. It was the first low power FM station in public schools in the United States. In 1954 it increased to 1,000 watts which made it the most powerful, completely student operated radio station in the country.
In March 1954 Theodore was nominated to the Naval Academy by Congressman D. Bailey Merrill.
The helicopter was assigned to an antisubmarine squadron at Quonset Point, Rhode Island.
He was survived by his wife Betty.
He is buried in Indiana.
Photographs
From his high school yearbook
From his high school yearbook; picture of the Vista staff
From his high school yearbook; photo of some classmates at WNAS-FM
Related Articles
Louis Schmeltzer '45 was one of the other crewmen lost in this crash.
Alan Hospes '58 was also a member of 2nd Company.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
