Earl H. Graffam, 79, a retired Navy captain who was chief of staff and commander of the Middle East Force, died April 10 at his home in Arlington. He had complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease.

Capt. Graffam was a native of Winnipeg, Alberta, and a graduate of Drake University in Iowa. He served as a White House military aide and a temporary aide to Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz early in his career.

He was the first executive officer of the destroyer McMorris and commanding officer of the minesweeper Persistent. After graduating from the Naval War College, he was an aide to the chief of naval personnel in Washington. He then was the first executive officer of the guided missile cruiser Fox and the first commanding officer of the frigate Schofield.

Capt. Graffam also studied at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and served in the office of the chief of naval operations. From 1972 to 1974, he was chief of staff and commander of the Middle East Force in Bahrain. He then returned to the United States as commanding officer of the Recruit Training Command in Orlando, a post from which he retired.


He was a member of Rock Spring Congregational Church in Arlington, the Arlington Kiwanis, the Military Officers Association of America, the American Bahraini Friendship Society and the Society of White House Military Aides.

Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Olive Blair Graffam of Arlington; a son, Earl H. Graffam Jr. of Fort Washington, Pa.; a sister; and a grandson.