The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Bruce Alan Grandstaff (ASN: RA-56240242), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Grandstaff distinguished himself by exceptionally heroic actions on 22 March 1967, when his unit was attacked by a large force of North Vietnamese Army Regulars. When his platoon became separated from the rest of the unit and pinned down by enemy machine-gun fire, Sergeant First Class Grandstaff moved through the rain of hostile fire to rally his men and position them in a defensive formation. He delivered an extremely telling volume of fire into the enemy positions, neutralizing a number of them. Then, ordering his men to move to rejoin the main unit, Sergeant First Class Grandstaff remained behind and used his weapon to lay down a deadly sheet of covering fire. Seeing one of his men wounded and lying in the open, he ran to the man’s aid, all the while maintaining his devastating fire, and began carrying him to safety. Several times, Sergeant First Class Grandstaff was temporarily pinned down by heavy fire as the enemy tried to thwart his rescue attempt, but he doggedly moved onward until he finally reached the relative security of the perimeter. His unmitigated courage and spirit of absolute determination heartened his men, eliciting their best efforts throughout the arduous battle. Sergeant First Class Grandstaff’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically superior force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
Sponsored by:
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Cemetery:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Medal of Honor
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Sergeant First ClassBatallion:
1st BattalionRegiment:
8th Infantry RegimentDivision:
4th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
March 22, 1967
Headquarters, 4th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 1505 (June 22, 1967) -
Medal of Honor
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Platoon SergeantBatallion:
1st BattalionRegiment:
8th Infantry RegimentDivision:
4th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
May 18, 1967
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 52 (August 8, 1967)The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Platoon Sergeant Bruce Alan Grandstaff (ASN: RA-56240242), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces in Pleiku Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 18 May 1967. Platoon Sergeant 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 three sides. As he established a defensive perimeter, Platoon Sergeant 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 one. 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 ten meters of an enemy machinegun 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. Platoon Sergeant 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.