PFC Alva N Graves Biography

Private First Class Alva N. Graves

World War I

US Army
Company D, 2nd Engineers, 2nd Infantry Division
Born: July 8, 1898
Inducted: May 9, 1917
Missing in Action June 14, 1918 - France
Status changed June 1919 to presumed Killed in Action
Memorial Marker Akron Cemetery
Memorial Tablet Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, Belleau, France

Son of Edward S. and Mabel M. Lewis Graves of Akron.

The American Legion Post 66 in Akron is named in memory of PFC Alva Graves.

Akron Cemetery
Family Stone

Military Marker

Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, France
Missing in Action Tablet
Marne AC
Photo by ABMC Staff

June 19, 1919 - The Akron News

War Department Writes Mrs. Graves

War Department
The Adjutant General's Office

Mrs. Mable M. Graves
General Delivery
Akron, Colorado

Dear Madam:

With reference to prior correspondence in which it war reported that Private First Class Alva N. Graves, Co. D. 2nd Engineers, has been missing in action since June 14, 1918. I deeply regret to inform you that, in view of the time which has elapsed since anything has been heard from him, although every effort has been made to secure information as to his fate or whereabouts, the War Department officially presumes that he was killed in action on June 14, 1918.

With deepest sympathy in your loss I am,
        Respectfully,
          P.C. Harris
         The Adjutant General

Alva Nobel Graves was born July 8, 1896 in Akron, Colorado, to Edward S. and Mabel May (Lewis) Graves. He gave his life for his country in June 1918 while serving in the army in France. Alva never married. He enlisted in the army May 9, 1917. At the time of his death he was a Private 1st class in Company D, 2nd Engineers. He was in the service just a little over one year before being killed when he was 21 years old.

Alva was preceded in death by his father when Alva was 15. He leaves to mourn his death, his mother Mabel Graves; three brothers, Floyd D. and Bert Ivan both serving in the army in France and Rex Olin. two sisters, Nellie Eula Ball and husband Robert B. Ball, and Erma Ella Graves.

There is a memorial stone at the Akron Cemetery, but Alva is buried somewhere in France in a common grave with many of his fellow soldiers.

Obit provided by Rosemary Graves Taper

Extract from the American Legion Post 66, Akron, Colorado, History.

The Post, Number 66, was named for Alva N. Graves, first Washington County boy killed in action in World War I. Alva trained at Camp Baker at El Paso, Texas and sailed from Nova Scotia aboard the "The Capra Thia" on Sept. 10, 1917, arriving at Scotland on Oct. 2, 1917. He went to England and on to France. He was killed June 14, 1918, in fighting near Lucy, France, on the Marne front.