"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."
From Sgt. Gruennert's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on October 11, 1943.
May you be at peace,
Brian
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