Ralph Graves

Ralph Augustus Graves (October 17, 1924 – June 10, 2013) was an American reporter, editor, and writer. He authored several novels and edited and contributed to famous periodicals such as Life magazine. Life Graves was born October 17, 1924, in Washington, D.C. to Elizabeth and Ralph Graves. His father was an editor of National Geographic magazine and The Washington Times. His mother in 1937 married Francis Bowes Sayre Sr., the last United States High Commissioner to the Philippines and the family resided there in the U.S. Embassy during his term. Graves was a high school student at the time of their arrival. They were evacuated from the embassy on Christmas Eve 1941 to the headquarters of General Douglas MacArthur in Corregidor, living in underground bunkers until escaping to Australia by submarine early in 1942. Graves served in the United States Army Air Forces during the World War II. His service began in 1943 and concluded in 1945. Graves attained the rank of sergeant before leaving the armed forces.