May 6 2004
CDR Graham inducted into the United States Naval Aviation Hall of Honor
STEWART R. GRAHAM
COMMANDER, USCG
NAVAL AVIATION PILOT
Receiving his wings as an enlisted pilot, Commander Graham pioneered the introduction and development of rotary wing aircraft in naval aviation. As the Coast Guard’s second helicopter pilot, he laid the groundwork for the shipboard operation of helicopters at sea in flights from the British freighter Daghestan during a transatlantic convoy in World War II. Subsequently perfected the techniques employed by helicopters in the search and rescue role, he performed both the first night helicopter medical evacuation and night hoist pick-up. He helped shape the future of antisubmarine warfare role by experimenting with and instructing fellow helicopter pilots in the techniques of employing dipping sonar for the detection of submerged submarines, which in ensuing years became the central weapon in Cold War operations against the Soviet Navy. Commander Graham became a leading figure in the development of rotary-wing aircraft whose dedication and perseverance ensured a prominent role for the helicopter in peace and war.
Commander Stewart R. Graham, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret) Honored as recipient of "Mark Starr Pioneer Award" for 2002
On 29 January 2002, Captain C. B. "Chuck" Smiley, USN (Ret), Chairman of the Naval Helicopter Historical Society, announced the selection of Commander Stewart R. Graham, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret), as the recipient of the Society's "Mark Starr Pioneer Award" for 2002. The award recognizes Commander Graham's outstanding contribution to the early development of Naval Helicopter Aviation. Smiley will present the award to Graham on 9 April during the 2002 Naval Helicopter Association Symposium in Jacksonville, Florida.
The United States naval service's second designated helicopter pilot, Graham received his flight instruction from the first naval helicopter pilot, Captain Frank A. Erickson, U.S. Coast Guard, at the Sikorsky factory in 1943. Graham's entire helicopter training prior to designation consisted of three and one half hours of flight time.
Graham spent his career in helicopter development as an instructor, systems and tactics developer and test pilot. His work led directly to the creation of today's equipment including hoists, sliding hatches, emergency floatation, troop ramps and many other features.
Helicopter anti-submarine warfare was a direct result of Graham's research which he began in 1944. His accomplishments included flying the first ASW mission in wartime from a ship in mid-Atlantic. Later, Graham began the initial development of the dipping sonar which lead to his creation of the initial tactics for modern helicopter ASW. As a Coast Guard Lieutenant, he was instrumental in establishing the first two Navy Helicopter ASW Squadrons, HS-1 and HS-2. He also served as the first helicopter test pilot at the Navy's Patuxent River Flight Test Center.
A true Pioneer, Graham's list of "firsts" includes many highly publicized helicopter rescues which introduced the public to the new "Angel of Mercy" to which so many owe their lives.
The "Mark Starr Pioneer Award" was created to honor the memory of a legendary leader in the naval helicopter community. In 1949, Captain Starr became the Navy's 121st designated helicopter pilot and began a career which helped write the story of Naval Helicopter Aviation. Following his retirement, he was active in the San Diego area and served for a number of years as a leader in the San Diego Aerospace Museum. His crowning achievement, however, was his contribution to the establishment of the Naval Helicopter Association in 1971.
The Naval Helicopter Historical Society (NHHS) was formed in 1997 with the growing awareness that the personal stories of Naval helicopter history were being lost due to the passing of many of the helicopter community's pioneers. The collection, preservation and display of personal recollections of former pilots, aircrew and support personnel, together with artifacts, photographs and documents is the goal of the Society as it tells the story of Naval Helicopter Aviation.