*GRUENNERT, KENNETH E.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army,
Company L, 127th Infantry, 32d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Buna, New
Guinea, 24 December 1942. Entered service at: Helenville, Wis. Birth:
Helenville, Wis. G.O. No: 66, 11 October 1943.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. On
24 December 1942, near Buna, New Guinea, Sgt. Gruennert was second in command of a platoon
with a mission to drive through the enemy lines to the beach 600 yards ahead. Within 150
yards of the objective, the platoon encountered 2 hostile pillboxes. Sgt. Gruennert
advanced alone on the first and put it out of action with hand grenades and rifle fire,
killing 3 of the enemy. Seriously wounded in the shoulder, he bandaged his wound under
cover of the pillbox, refusing to withdraw to the aid station and leave his men. He then,
with undiminished daring, and under extremely heavy fire, attacked the second pillbox. As
he neared it he threw grenades which forced the enemy out where they were easy targets for
his platoon. Before the leading elements of his platoon could reach him he was shot by
enemy snipers. His inspiring valor cleared the way for his platoon which was the first to
attain the beach in this successful effort to split the enemy position.
