- SURNAME
Grove
- FORENAME
Robert Woodrow
- UNIT
Advisory Team 37 (Airborne Ranger), MACV (US Marine Corps)
- RANK
Gunnery Sergeant
- NUMBER
306455
- DATE OF DEATH
18th February 1965
- AGE
47
- GRAVESITE
Drake Cemetery, Van Buren County, Tennessee, USA
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Casper, Wyoming
born 1.3.1917
father Joe Grove (1888-1957)
mother Anna Maude (nee Deweese) Grove (1898-1949)
married
20 years service in Marine Corps
parent unit 1 Bn 9th Marines
awarded Navy Cross (Guadacanal), Silver Star
KIA Khanh Hoa, South Vietnam
Vietnam Veterans Memorial,Washington,D.C. Panel 01E Line 92
DATE OF DEATH:
18-Feb-1965CITATION:
Navy Cross : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal Robert Woodrow Grove (MCSN: 306455), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving as a Machine Gunner in Company I, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, on 27 December 1943. When a numerically superior enemy force attacked the positions of his company and succeeded in penetrating the lines, Corporal Grove courageously led a squad of men to the point of the break-through and, armed with his own sub-machine gun and that of one of his casualties, fearlessly charged a light and heavy Japanese machine gun, destroying or wounding the crews of both and capturing the valuable weapons. Corporal Grove's valiant conduct and inspiring leadership contributed materially to the success of our forces in repulsing the hostile attack and re-establishing the lines and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Gunnery Sergeant Robert Woodrow Grove (MCSN: 306455), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Light Weapons Infantry Advisor with the United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, during operations against the enemy near Tu Thuan Village, Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam, on 16 February 1965. Sergeant Grove was accompanying three companies of Vietnamese trainees on a march from their training center to a firing range when Viet Cong snipers began firing on one of the companies. The enemy fire increased until it was apparent that a Viet Cong platoon was firing from positions in a nearby hamlet. Thereupon the commander in charge of the friendly troops committed the reserve company to the action. Sergeant Grove went forward with this element, advising and assisting its leaders in the employment of the platoons in maneuvering toward the enemy position, exhibiting conspicuous bravery in exposing himself to the heavy fire of the enemy unit. Disregarding his own safety, he moved to an automatic weapon position and directed effective fire upon the enemy positions until he was mortally wounded. His heroic actions encouraged aggressiveness and bravery in the young troops with whom he served and the Vietnamese trainees, inspired by his courageous example, pursued the Viet Cong and successfully routed them from their prepared positions. Sergeant Grove's calm and competent actions under hostile fire reflect great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Gunnery Sergeant Robert Woodrow Grove (MCSN: 306455), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Light Weapons Infantry Advisor with the United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, during operations against the enemy near Tu Thuan Village, Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam, on 16 February 1965. Sergeant Grove was accompanying three companies of Vietnamese trainees on a march from their training center to a firing range when Viet Cong snipers began firing on one of the companies. The enemy fire increased until it was apparent that a Viet Cong platoon was firing from positions in a nearby hamlet. Thereupon the commander in charge of the friendly troops committed the reserve company to the action. Sergeant Grove went forward with this element, advising and assisting its leaders in the employment of the platoons in maneuvering toward the enemy position, exhibiting conspicuous bravery in exposing himself to the heavy fire of the enemy unit. Disregarding his own safety, he moved to an automatic weapon position and directed effective fire upon the enemy positions until he was mortally wounded. His heroic actions encouraged aggressiveness and bravery in the young troops with whom he served and the Vietnamese trainees, inspired by his courageous example, pursued the Viet Cong and successfully routed them from their prepared positions. Sergeant Grove's calm and competent actions under hostile fire reflect great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5854637/robert-woodrow-grove
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