Bruce Alan GrandstaffPlatoon SergeantB CO, 1ST BN, 8TH INFANTRY, 4 INF DIV Army of the United States 02 June 1934 - 18 May 1967 Spokane, Washington Panel 20E Line 028 |
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The database page for Bruce Alan Grandstaff
This was a guy who went to high school a couple of blocks from my restaurant. I'm building a memorial to him there.
Dave Wagner |
Bruce was awarded the Silver Star for actions on 3/22/1967 at Polei Duc in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. B Company, 1/8, 4th ID, was conducting a joint operation with A Co, 1/8, 4 ID, and the two companies were about 300-400 meters apart. They were in single file lines when NVA machine guns opened up on A Co, and in the opening minutes of the ambush, Company Commander Captain Bill Sands and the Artillery Forward Observer (2LT Thomas E Shannon) were killed in action and two of the platoon leaders were severely wounded. First Sergeant David McNerney pulled the defense together and prevented the company from being over-run (he won the Medal of Honor for his actions that day). B Company, under Captain Bob Sholly, turned 90 degrees on line trying to link up and make the rescue ... walking (or running) toward the sound of the battle. As B Company tried to close the gap that separated the two units, they also walked into an ambush by NVA regulars. Bruce rescued a wounded man and was given credit for destroying an enemy MG in the action. There were several instances of individual heroism that day ...
From his cousin, |
I am the daughter of SSG Harry Franklin Rhodes Sr. My father and PSGT Grandstaff were close friends in the States and they served together in Vietnam. He has told me from the time I can remember (I am 31 now) how PSGT Grandstaff was and will always be in our hearts and memory as one of our country's greatest solders. Through the bonding friendship between my father and PSGT Grandstaff, he will always live on. This I promise - I will pass on his achievements and memory to my family and their familys' familys for many generations to come. So "Thank you" to all who will never forget a wonderful man. Thank you, Daddy, for giving me the privilege of knowing him through all you have showed and told me. We all love you, PSGT Grandstaff. THANK YOU!!!!
From his friend's daughter, |
Those who have the privilege of serving at or visiting Fort Lewis, Washingtion, have the opportunity to visit the Grandstaff Memorial Library named for this outstanding, heroic American soldier.
From a fellow citizen, |
Dear Daddy, I feel sometimes as if I have no way of contact or to be close to you as I do when I put your name in the internet and it brings your picture up. I always feel proud. I miss you, daddy. You have many grandchildren now. My children are Rian McMath Cox and Emily McMath Cox. Your great-grandaughter is Alexandra McMath Cox. Daddy, I married a wonderful man - Gary Cox. We just celebrated our 25th anniversary. By the way just to let you know I have completed a Master's degree and teach at the University of Texas. Tami had two children - Molli, who turned 8 today, and Michael Bruce, named after you. I call him Brucey. Beautiful children both of them. Tami has been married for ten years. Jeannie, your youngest who you never got, to meet just had a child, Elizabeth Katherin, who is beautiful and may have to have open heart surgery soon. Jeannie is a beautiful woman with a voice that sounds like angels in heaven. Daddy I know you are in the arms of angels far away from here. I will miss you, think of you, and love you every day of my life. I am so sorry for us that we didn't get to have our time on earth together. I am glad for the times when you took me to grab the big brass ring! I did it just for you. I so wanted you to be proud of me.
Daddy, I will love you forever.
Heather McMath Grandstaff-Cox |
Notes from The Virtual WallBruce Grandstaff was graduated from North Central High School, Spokane, Washington.Two months after being decorated with the Silver Star for heroism at Polei Duc , Platoon Sergeant Grandstaff was one of 48 Americans who died as a result of the fighting around Plei Doc on 18-24 May 1967. His actions on 18 May were recognized with the Medal of Honor. His Medal of Honor was donated to North Central High School, where it is displayed in a place of honor. He is buried in Greenwood Riverside Memorial Park in Spokane.
The Citation speaks for the character and courage of
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The point-of-contact for this memorial is his eldest daughter, Heather McMath Grandstaff-Cox heather.cox@hotmail.com |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 1 Oct 2002
Last updated 10/01/2007