GRANDSTAFF, BRUCE ALAN
Rank and organization: Platoon Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 1st Battalion,
8th Infantry
Place: Pleiku Province, Republic of Vietnam
Date: 18 May 1967
Entered service at: Spokane, Washington
Born: 2 June 1934, Spokane, Washington
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty.
P/Sgt. Grandstaff distinguished
himself while leading the Weapons Platoon, Company B, on a reconnaissance
mission near the Cambodian border. His platoon was advancing through intermittent
enemy contact when it was struck by heavy small arms and automatic weapons
fire from 3 sides. As he established a defensive perimeter, P/Sgt. Grandstaff
noted that several of his men had been struck down. He raced 30 meters through
the intense fire to aid them but could only save 1. Denied freedom to maneuver
his unit by the intensity of the enemy onslaught, he adjusted artillery
to within 45 meters of his position. When helicopter gunships arrived, he
crawled outside the defensive position to mark the location with smoke grenades.
Realizing his first marker was probably ineffective, he crawled to another
location and threw his last smoke grenade but the smoke did not penetrate
the jungle foliage. Seriously wounded in the leg during this effort he returned
to his radio and, refusing medical aid, adjusted the artillery even closer
as the enemy advanced on his position. Recognizing the need for additional
firepower, he again braved the enemy fusillade, crawled to the edge of his
position and fired several magazines of tracer ammunition through the jungle
canopy. He succeeded in designating the location to the gunships but this
action again drew the enemy fire and he was wounded in the other leg. Now
enduring intense pain and bleeding profusely, he crawled to within 10 meters
of an enemy machine gun which had caused many casualties among his men.
He destroyed the position with hand grenades but received additional wounds.
Rallying his remaining men to withstand the enemy assaults, he realized
his position was being overrun and asked for artillery directly on his location.
He fought until mortally wounded by an enemy rocket. Although every man
in the platoon was a casualty, survivors attest to the indomitable spirit
and exceptional courage of this outstanding combat leader who inspired his
men to fight courageously against overwhelming odds and cost the enemy heavy
casualties. P/Sgt. Grandstaff's selfless gallantry, above and beyond the
call of duty, are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect
great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of
his country.
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--- General / Personal ---
Last name: GRANDSTAFF
First name: BRUCE ALAN
Home of Record (official): SPOKANE
State (official): WA
Date of Birth: Saturday, June 2, 1934
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Married
--- Military ---
Branch: Army
Rank: PSGT
Serial Number: 56240242
Component: Regular
Pay grade: E7
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 11C40
--- Action ---
Start of Tour: Thursday, September 15, 1966
Date of Casualty: Thursday, May 18, 1967
Age at time of loss: 32
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Multiple fragmentation wounds (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Pleiku
The Wall: Panel 20E - Row 028
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