US Navy Rear Admiral. Grantham's early education was in the public school system in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He entered the United States Naval Academy in 1926 and graduated in 1930. His first assignment was aboard the aircraft carrier Saratoga. Later he was reassigned to the light cruiser USS St. Louis which was part of the Seventh Fleet docked at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. During the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor the St. Louis was able to steam out of the harbor and begin it's search for the Japanese aircraft carriers. Grantham's next assignment was commanding officer of the USS Robinson, a Fletcher class destroyer which was commissioned on January 31, 1944. The Robinson became part of the task force which was involved in the Marianas campaign which started in June of 1944. Grantham earned the Navy Cross for heroism while leading the Robinson in an attack against the Japanese forces at the Battle of Surigao Straits, near the Philippines and also earned the Bronze star for heroism in action off Palau earlier that same year. After the War he served under Admiral Leahy from May of 1945 to June of 1948. He subsequently was assigned as chief of staff of the Atlantic Fleet Mine Force in Charleston, South Carolina. Later he commanded the U.S. Middle East Force at Bahrain and returned to Charleston in June of 1962 as commander of the Fleet Mine Force. He then left Charleston in June 1964 and served as deputy chief of staff to the Commander-in-Chief Pacific forces in Hawaii until 1965 when he retired from active service. Included in his 35 year career was duty as an aide and confidant to President Truman as well as chief of staff to Presidents Roosevelt and Truman. After retiring from the Navy Grantham was appointed to the Agency for International Development. He would serve in this capacity inside Afghanistan for nearly three years, and upon the completion of this assignment returned to Charleston to retire.