The Descendants of William Graham Sr. and Sarah Jacobs
Military Service
Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth L. Graham United States Marine Corps
PFC. John Edwin Jacobs
United States Army
Sergeant Charles Curtis Graham
United States Army
John Edwin Jacobs (1947–1968)
Vietnam War Soldier and Fourth Great-Grandson of William Graham Sr. and Sarah Jacobs-Graham
John Edwin Jacobs, known affectionately to his family as “Ed,” was born on December 4, 1947. A native of the historic Hooper Hill community in Leland, North Carolina, he was the fourth great-grandson of William Graham Sr. and Sarah Jacobs-Graham, connecting him to a family with deep roots in southeastern North Carolina.
John graduated from Lincoln High School in Leland, which was a segregated school at the time and is now Lincoln Elementary School. His relatives remembered him as a kind, gentle, and loving young man whose brief life left a lasting impression on those who knew him.
Drafted into the United States Army in March 1968, John trained as an infantryman and arrived in Vietnam on August 8 of that year. He served as a private first class with the 5th Infantry Division in Quang Tri Province, near the demilitarized zone, where American troops faced frequent combat and difficult conditions.
On October 1, 1968, less than two months after arriving in Vietnam, John was killed by small-arms fire. He was only 20 years old and is remembered as the only Leland resident killed during the Vietnam War. His death brought profound sorrow to his family, made especially painful because October 1 was his mother Mildred’s birthday.
His nephew, Charles “Doc” Holliday, recalled John taking him to the family cemetery before leaving for Vietnam. During that visit, John spoke words that Holliday did not understand as a child but later associated with his uncle’s death. Through memories such as this, the family has continued sharing John’s story with generations born long after his passing.
John’s service and sacrifice remain part of Leland’s community history. In 2019, American Legion Post 68 formally adopted the name John E. Jacobs American Legion Post 68 in his honor. A memorial at Founders Park also preserves his memory. More than 58 years after his death, veterans, relatives, and community leaders gathered there for the post’s first formal ceremony honoring its namesake.
As a descendant of William Graham Sr. and Sarah Jacobs-Graham, John holds an enduring place in the Graham family’s history. His legacy lives on through his relatives, fellow veterans, and the community that continues to honor the young soldier who gave his life in service to his country.
Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth “Ken” Graham
Marine Corps Veteran, Pilot, Educator, and Second Great-Grandson of William Graham Sr. and Sarah Jacobs-Graham
Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Graham, affectionately known to family and friends as “Kenny” or “Ken,” has dedicated his life to military service, education, and community leadership. The second great-grandson of William Graham Sr. and Sarah Jacobs-Graham, he has built a legacy of helping others through his work as a Marine Corps pilot, legal professional, and youth mentor.
Born in Brunswick County, North Carolina, Kenny drew inspiration from his brother, Purple Heart recipient Harry Lee McMillian, and other relatives who served in Vietnam. Their example strengthened his desire to serve his country and pursue his dream of becoming a pilot. He became the first member of his family to attend college, enrolling at Temple University to meet the educational requirements for military flight training.
Following graduation, Kenny was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and entered flight school. During his 21-year military career, he participated in humanitarian missions around the world and flew combat missions during Operation Desert Storm.
After retiring from the Marine Corps, Kenny pursued further education at the University of Southern California. According to the Nuvision profile honoring his work, he earned a law degree and doctorate, became an administrative immigration judge, and taught constitutional law at USC for more than two decades.
His commitment to service continued through his involvement with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Marine Corps League. At the time of the profile, he had devoted nearly 20 years to collecting toys for underserved children through Toys for Tots. He also prepared and distributed meals for people experiencing homelessness, particularly during the holidays.
Mentoring young people has remained one of Kenny’s greatest passions. Through his work with the Young Marines and naval cadet programs, he has encouraged teamwork, discipline, character, and a commitment to service. He views mentorship as an opportunity to help young people prepare for the future.
Recognized by Nuvision as a community hero for his dedication to veterans, children, and families, Kenny responded with humility. He emphasized that those who died serving their country deserved the highest honor and described himself as a conduit for recognizing their sacrifices and helping the next generation succeed.
As the second great-grandson of William Graham Sr. and Sarah Jacobs-Graham, Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Graham holds a distinguished place in the Graham family’s history. His life reflects a lasting devotion to country, community, and the young people he has guided and inspired.
Sergeant First Class Charles Graham
Purple Heart Recipient and Third Great-Grandson of William Graham Sr. and Sarah Jacobs-Graham
Sergeant First Class Charles Graham is a United States Army veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and third great-grandson of William Graham Sr. and Sarah Jacobs-Graham. A member of the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe, known as the “People of the Falling Star,” he carries forward a family tradition of military service spanning eight generations.
After completing high school, Graham enlisted in the North Carolina National Guard in June 1997. He served three years before entering active-duty Army service. His military career included one deployment to Kosovo and two deployments to Iraq. He later served with U.S. Army Recruiting Command, leading two large recruiting centers.
While serving in Iraq in November 2005, Graham sustained combat injuries when mortar rounds struck his unit’s forward operating base. He was serving as an indirect fire infantryman and fire direction center chief with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor, 3rd Infantry Division. A mortar exploded approximately ten feet in front of him, leaving him unable to remember what happened immediately afterward.
Nearly a decade later, Brigadier General Jeffrey Johnson, commanding general of Brooke Army Medical Center, presented Graham with the Purple Heart during a March 3 ceremony at the Warrior and Family Support Center’s Purple Heart Garden in San Antonio, Texas. His parents traveled from Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina, to attend, joined by his wife and mother-in-law.
The ceremony also recognized the Graham family’s proud military heritage. His father, Charles Graham Sr., served in Vietnam, and his brother, Sergeant First Class Justin Graham, also served in the Army. Two of his grandfathers received Purple Hearts, making Charles’s decoration the third within the family.
Accepting the medal with pride and humility, Graham requested a moment of silence to honor service members who had died in battle. He also expressed gratitude to those who supported him throughout his life, especially his father, whom he credited with providing inspiration, courage, and unwavering support.
As a descendant of William Graham Sr. and Sarah Jacobs-Graham, Sergeant First Class Charles Graham holds a distinguished place in the Graham family’s history. His service and sacrifice honor his ancestors, his Waccamaw Siouan heritage, and his family’s enduring commitment to serving their country.
