U.S. Army Major General Peter Gravett had a dual career in the military and law enforcement. He was off duty as an LAPD officer when he saw a person getting brutally beat at an event at the Coliseum. General Gravett tells the dramatic story of how his heroic actions earned him an LAPD Medal of Valor.
May 16, 2020
Stories of L.A. Harbor Area: For Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (SOLAHA)
Vol. II, No. 8 introducing Major General Peter J. Gravett a “real life hero”
U.S. Army Major General Peter Gravett had a dual career in the military and law enforcement. He was off duty as an LAPD officer when he saw a person being brutally beaten at an event at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at conclusion of L.A. Watts riots (1965). He recounts the harrowing dramatic story of his effort to save the victim who unfortunately did not survive. Later similar actions while on duty earned him an LAPD Medal of Valor.
Peter Gravett is a son of one of the Tuskegee Airmen, the legendary African-American aviators who served in World War II. Gravett was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and moved to San Pedro in his early youth and matriculated in local schools.
In keeping with May 16 being declared “Armed Forces Day” throughout Los Angeles County it’s with immense gratitude and support for our nation’s current and past military service members that this week we are honored to feature Major Gravett, had a long and distinguished career serving 22 years in the Los Angeles Police Department and retiring after 40 years in the U.S. Army and National Guard.
In 2019 he published his impressive and heartfelt biography From East Garrison To The Ranch House that includes many memories of growing up in the harbor area.
You can find the book at many outlets including this link:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/from-east-garrison-to-the-ranch-house-mg-peter-james-gravett/1129127561