Kenneth E. Gruennert
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Kenneth E. Gruennert | |
|---|---|
| November 19, 1922 – December 24, 1942 (aged 20) | |
 Kenneth E. Gruennert, Medal of Honor recipient |
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| Place of birth | Helenville, Wisconsin |
| Place of death | near Buna, New Guinea |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | 127th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Kenneth E. Gruennert (November 19, 1922 – December 24, 1942) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.
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[edit] Biography
Gruennert joined the Army from his birth place of Helenville, Wisconsin, and by December 24, 1942 was serving as a Sergeant in Company L, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. On that day, near Buna, New Guinea, he single-handedly destroyed an enemy position. Although seriously wounded, he refused medical evacuation and attacked a second enemy position, but was killed in the process. For these actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor ten months later, on October 11, 1943.
Gruennert, aged 20 at his death, was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in his hometown of Helenville, Wisconsin.
[edit] Medal of Honor citation
Sergeant Gruennert's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. On 24 December 1942, near Buna, New Guinea, Sgt. Gruennert was second in command of a platoon with a mission to drive through the enemy lines to the beach 600 yards ahead. Within 150 yards of the objective, the platoon encountered 2 hostile pillboxes. Sgt. Gruennert advanced alone on the first and put it out of action with hand grenades and rifle fire, killing 3 of the enemy. Seriously wounded in the shoulder, he bandaged his wound under cover of the pillbox, refusing to withdraw to the aid station and leave his men. He then, with undiminished daring, and under extremely heavy fire, attacked the second pillbox. As he neared it he threw grenades which forced the enemy out where they were easy targets for his platoon. Before the leading elements of his platoon could reach him he was shot by enemy snipers. His inspiring valor cleared the way for his platoon which was the first to attain the beach in this successful effort to split the enemy position.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Kenneth E. Gruennert at Find A Grave Retrieved on 2008-02-07
- Medal of Honor Recipients - World War II (G-L). Medal of Honor Citations. U.S. Army Center of Military History (July 16, 2007). Retrieved on 2008-02-07.
