01 Oct 2002 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 oldemillcafe@hotmail.com

 

03 Oct 2002 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, Alan Kaul W6RCL, LaCanada, CA w6rcl@amsat.org

 

16 Oct 2004 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, Ms. Christina Rhodes 205 S E 5th St, Irrigon Or 97844 tialuv38@yahoo.com

 

15 Aug 2005 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, Clark T. Ballard, Jr., M.D. Colonel, US Army (Ret) n6qg1@yahoo.com

 

29 Apr 2007 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. Your oldest daughter, Heather McMath Heather McMath Grandstaff-Cox heather.cox@hotmail.com

 

Notes from The Virtual Wall Bruce 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 Platoon Sergeant Bruce Grandstaff. The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor posthumously to Bruce Alan Grandstaff Platoon Sergeant United States Army Organization: Platoon Sergeant, U.S. Army, Co B, 1st Bn, 8th Infantry Place and date: Pleiku Province, Republic of Vietnam, 18 May 1967 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 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 10 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. 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.

Contact Us

© Copyright 1997-2019 www.VirtualWall.org, Ltd ®(TM)

Last update 08/15/2019.