medal of honor

DEDICATION OF A HISTORICAL MONUMENT IN HONOR AND MEMORY OF SFC BRUCE A. GRANDSTAFF
B Company, 1st Bn, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division
Medal of Honor Recipient (Posthumously) May 18, 1967, Battles called the 'NINE DAYS IN MAY'

sgt grandstaff


Platoon Sergeant Grandstaff's Official Medal of Honor Citation Reads:


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.


Vic Renza from B/1/8, wanted to 'get the word out' to everyone that on SATURDAY, SEPT 11, 2010 in Spokane, WA there will be a monument dedication at the gravesite of SFC Bruce Grandstaff. SGT Grandstaff B/1/8, 4th platoon, was the Medal Of Honor Recipient (Posthumously) for his actions on May 18, 1967 in the Central Highlands near Duc Co on the Cambodian border in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. That day was the beginning of the 'Nine Days In May' battles May 18-26, 1967. It will be a one day event. All B/1/8 vets who receive this email should give serious thought in attending this ceremony. If you know any other B/1/8 vets give them a call and let them know about this. It will be an excellent opportunity to bring as many of you guys together for a day of camaraderie and healing after what happened forty-three years ago. Vic will never forget what A/1/8 did on the 18th of May and the emotional impact it had on him and the other 6 survivors of the 4th platoon they found on the morning of May 19th. As you know Vic Renza is the point man for B/1/8 and never misses any of our A, B company reunions. I encourage all 1st of the 8th Inf vets who can attend to be there in support of B/1/8. They are our brothers and our sister company who we fought side by side with in Polei Doc and the Nine Days In May. B 1/8 and A 1/8 vets on the west coast, this is the time to attend an event that will bring us together once again.
Place: Greenwood Memorial Terrace
211 N Government Way
Spokane, WA 99224
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There were many other heroes on the battlefield during those battles. We honor them as well. They paid a high price for our freedoms...let's honor them all while honoring Platoon Sergeant Grandstaff.

Follow up:

These photos of the ceremony and monument say it all...

grandstaff's daugheter tami speaking at ceremony

tami's daughter at monument.

group assembled at monument



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