Navy Federal Credit Union

Ambrosio Grandea moved from the Philippine Islands to the United States with his parents when he was 18 years old. During post graduate work at Boston University, he served a church in New Hampshire before entering military service as a Methodist Chaplain in 1960. After being wounded in Vietnam, he was evacuated to a hospital at Clark Air Force base near his birthplace in the Philippine Islands. His wife, Mrs. Jacinta Grandea, who was working as a nurse in Baltimore, Maryland, flew to join him but en route, was advised her husband had died of his wounds. Six months later in a ceremony to present the Silver Star posthumously earned by her husband, she was sworn in as an Army nurse, with the stipulation that she be deployed to serve in Vietnam.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    14th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    4th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    May 6, 1967

    Headquarters, 4th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 3079 (September 23, 1967)

    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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Ambrosio Salazar Grandea (ASN: 0-2300900), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 6 May 1967 Chaplain Grandea distinguished himself while accompanying Company A, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division on a search and destroy operation near Thanh Hoa. One platoon of the company had been receiving devastating and accurate automatic and small arms fire from enemy forces to the front and flanks which wounded several men. Chaplain Grandea was with the Command Group when the firing started. As he heard the cries of “medic,” he left the Command Group, which was not receiving fire and crawled forward to the wounded soldiers. Paying no heed to the heavy volume of fire being directed at the platoon by enemy troops both on the ground and in the trees, Chaplain Grandea moved to each of the wounded and assisted the medics in the administration of first aid. Shouting words of encouragement not only to the stricken men but also to those repelling the attack, he inspired the men of the platoon to fight with renewed vigor and determination. Chaplain Grandea’s courageous actions were in large part responsible for the defeat of the enemy. His unselfish gallantry is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.