Bruce Alan Grandstaff

Rallied his encircled platoon despite repeated wounds

Bruce Alan Grandstaff received a posthumous Medal of Honor for leading his platoon through an overwhelming attack during the Vietnam War. On 18 May 1967, in Pleiku Province, he commanded the weapons platoon of Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division.

Born in Spokane, Washington, on 2 June 1934, Grandstaff was accredited to that city. Enemy fire struck his reconnaissance patrol from three sides near the Cambodian border. He rescued a wounded soldier, directed artillery and repeatedly exposed himself to identify his platoon's position for helicopter gunships. Wounded several times, he destroyed an enemy machine gun and continued rallying his men as the position was overrun.

Official Medal of Honor 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 three 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 machine gun 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.”

Grandstaff died that day and was buried in Greenwood Riverside Memorial Park, Spokane. President Richard M. Nixon presented his medal to his family on 10 July 1969. His citation preserves the survivors' testimony to his leadership under overwhelming odds.