Colonel P. O. Gravatt, of Mechanicsville, died at St. Mary's Hospital. A retired Air National Guardsman, Col. Gravatt first enlisted in the 111th Field Artillery Regiment in 1940. He was called to active duty in 1941 and served two overseas tours in the European theatre, flying 59 missions in P-47s and P-38s. Returning to the Air Guard in 1948, he was called to active duty for the Korean war. He returned to the Guard as Chief of Maintenance and was promoted to Fighter Group Commander in 1964. He retired from the military in 1978. Awards bestowed upon him by the U.S. Government included the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Airmedal with six Oak Leaf clusters, European Theatre Ribbon with three Battle Stars, and the following ribbons or medals: Pre-Pearl Harbor, National Defense, American Theatre, AF Combat Ready, Korean Service and others.
Col. Gravatt was active with the Boy Scouts and was awarded the Order Of Merit for service to boyhood. He received the Lion of the Year award in 1991 from the Mechanicsville Lions Club, and the Melvin Jones Fellowship award from the Lions International in 1992. He was a member of the Air Force Association, the American Legion and the Reserve Officers Association, the P-47 Pilots Association, and a Life Member of the following associations: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9808, P-38 Pilots, 367th Fighter Group and the Virginia National Guard.
A long-time member of Immanuel Church, he served on the Vestry, as Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Registrar and was chairman of the Cemetery Committee. Col. Gravatt was also a Trustee of Immanuel Church.
He was survived by his wife Phyllis, four children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Wednesday, 25 Feb 2004 at Immanuel Episcopal Church in Old Church. Interment with military honors followed in the church cemetery. Please make memorial contributions to the Immanuel Episcopal Church Cemetery Fund, 3263 Old Church Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23111.
Col. Gravatt was active with the Boy Scouts and was awarded the Order Of Merit for service to boyhood. He received the Lion of the Year award in 1991 from the Mechanicsville Lions Club, and the Melvin Jones Fellowship award from the Lions International in 1992. He was a member of the Air Force Association, the American Legion and the Reserve Officers Association, the P-47 Pilots Association, and a Life Member of the following associations: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9808, P-38 Pilots, 367th Fighter Group and the Virginia National Guard.
A long-time member of Immanuel Church, he served on the Vestry, as Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Registrar and was chairman of the Cemetery Committee. Col. Gravatt was also a Trustee of Immanuel Church.
He was survived by his wife Phyllis, four children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Wednesday, 25 Feb 2004 at Immanuel Episcopal Church in Old Church. Interment with military honors followed in the church cemetery. Please make memorial contributions to the Immanuel Episcopal Church Cemetery Fund, 3263 Old Church Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23111.
Colonel P. O. Gravatt, of Mechanicsville, died at St. Mary's Hospital. A retired Air National Guardsman, Col. Gravatt first enlisted in the 111th Field Artillery Regiment in 1940. He was called to active duty in 1941 and served two overseas tours in the European theatre, flying 59 missions in P-47s and P-38s. Returning to the Air Guard in 1948, he was called to active duty for the Korean war. He returned to the Guard as Chief of Maintenance and was promoted to Fighter Group Commander in 1964. He retired from the military in 1978. Awards bestowed upon him by the U.S. Government included the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Airmedal with six Oak Leaf clusters, European Theatre Ribbon with three Battle Stars, and the following ribbons or medals: Pre-Pearl Harbor, National Defense, American Theatre, AF Combat Ready, Korean Service and others.
Col. Gravatt was active with the Boy Scouts and was awarded the Order Of Merit for service to boyhood. He received the Lion of the Year award in 1991 from the Mechanicsville Lions Club, and the Melvin Jones Fellowship award from the Lions International in 1992. He was a member of the Air Force Association, the American Legion and the Reserve Officers Association, the P-47 Pilots Association, and a Life Member of the following associations: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9808, P-38 Pilots, 367th Fighter Group and the Virginia National Guard.
A long-time member of Immanuel Church, he served on the Vestry, as Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Registrar and was chairman of the Cemetery Committee. Col. Gravatt was also a Trustee of Immanuel Church.
He was survived by his wife Phyllis, four children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Wednesday, 25 Feb 2004 at Immanuel Episcopal Church in Old Church. Interment with military honors followed in the church cemetery. Please make memorial contributions to the Immanuel Episcopal Church Cemetery Fund, 3263 Old Church Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23111.
Col. Gravatt was active with the Boy Scouts and was awarded the Order Of Merit for service to boyhood. He received the Lion of the Year award in 1991 from the Mechanicsville Lions Club, and the Melvin Jones Fellowship award from the Lions International in 1992. He was a member of the Air Force Association, the American Legion and the Reserve Officers Association, the P-47 Pilots Association, and a Life Member of the following associations: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9808, P-38 Pilots, 367th Fighter Group and the Virginia National Guard.
A long-time member of Immanuel Church, he served on the Vestry, as Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Registrar and was chairman of the Cemetery Committee. Col. Gravatt was also a Trustee of Immanuel Church.
He was survived by his wife Phyllis, four children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Wednesday, 25 Feb 2004 at Immanuel Episcopal Church in Old Church. Interment with military honors followed in the church cemetery. Please make memorial contributions to the Immanuel Episcopal Church Cemetery Fund, 3263 Old Church Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23111.
Family Members
Siblings
