THE WALL OF FACES

You were one of the brave that answered the call. You honored us by your service and sacrifice. We now honor you each time we stand and sing the words “THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE”. Rest in Peace and Honor Bruce.

I love you, Daddy. I was given the privilege of writing an historical monument for you in collaboration with the Spokane Historic Committee. A Congresswoman heard me tell your story and submitted a bill to the House Floor which was fully supported by the House and Senate to name the VA Hospital of Spokane in your honor along with WWII recipient Joe Mann from Reardan. It is now 46 years after your sacrifice, Daddy. I will never forget you. My only son was born in 2002 and bears your name. Your granddaughter Molli was born with Down Syndrome. They both have your spirit, Daddy, and are amazing. I am passing on your legacy to them and am teaching them all about their Grandpa Bruce. I brought them home to Spokane to grow up in our hometown and continue to share your story with everyone I meet.

Rest in peace with the warriors.

PLATOON SERGEANT


BRUCE ALAN GRANDSTAFF


who served as a


PLATOON LEADER


with the


WEAPONS PLATOON

COMPANY ' B '

1st BATTALION

8th INFANTRY

4th INFANTRY DIVISION


was a posthumous recipient of the


CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR


who rests in honored glory in


GREENWOOD RIVERSIDE MEMORIAL PARK


SPOKANE, WASHINGTON



************************************************************



CITATION

FOR AWARD OF THE

CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR




PLEIKU PROVINCE

REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

18 MAY 1967



For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. 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 manoeuvre 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 of 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 position. 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 United States Army and reflect great
credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.



************************************************************



CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR


was presented to his family

on 10 July 1969

at

The White House

by the

President of the United States of America

Richard M. Nixon



**********************

PLATOON SERGEANT

BRUCE ALAN GRANDSTAFF


was a recipient of the

MEDAL OF HONOR

SILVER STAR

PURPLE HEART


**********************




THE PROUD YOUNG VALOR THAT ROSE ABOVE THE MORTAL

AND THEN, AT LAST, WAS MORTAL AFTER ALL





YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE






25 MARCH 2001

PLATOON SERGEANT


BRUCE ALAN GRANDSTAFF


who served as a


PLATOON LEADER


with the


WEAPONS PLATOON

COMPANY ' B '

1st BATTALION

8th INFANTRY

4th INFANTRY DIVISION


was a posthumous recipient of the


CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR


who rests in honored glory in


GREENWOOD RIVERSIDE MEMORIAL PARK


SPOKANE, WASHINGTON



************************************************************



CITATION

FOR AWARD OF THE

CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR




PLEIKU PROVINCE

REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

18 MAY 1967



For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. 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 manoeuvre 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 of 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 position. 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 United States Army and reflect great
credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.



************************************************************



CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR


was presented to his family

on 10 July 1969

at

The White House

by the

President of the United States of America

Richard M. Nixon



**********************(br)(br)(br)

PLATOON SERGEANT

BRUCE ALAN GRANDSTAFF


was a recipient of the

MEDAL OF HONOR

SILVER STAR

PURPLE HEART


**********************




THE PROUD YOUNG VALOR THAT ROSE ABOVE THE MORTAL

AND THEN, AT LAST, WAS MORTAL AFTER ALL





YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE






25 MARCH 2001