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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Sergeant · U.S. Army

Kenneth E. Gruennert

Sergeant Kenneth E. Gruennert, Army, received the Medal of Honor posthumously for actions on December 24, 1942 near Buna, New Guinea during World War II.

World War II December 24, 1942Posthumous

Sergeant Kenneth E. Gruennert was a soldier in the U.S. Army who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on December 24, 1942 near Buna, New Guinea during World War II. At the time he was serving with Company L, 127th Infantry, 32d Infantry Division. Gruennert was 20 years old.

Gruennert was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.

Gruennert was born on November 19, 1922 in Helenville, Jefferson County, Wisconsin. He is buried at Helenville-Evergreen Lutheran Cemetery in Helenville, Wisconsin. His medal is held by Wisconsin Veterans Museum, Madison, WI.

Gruennert is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 50 credited to Wisconsin.

★ Gave Their Lives

Official Medal of Honor 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 misssion to drive through the enemy lines to the beach 600 yards ahead. Within 150 yards of the objective, the platoon encountered two hostile pillboxes. Sgt. Gruennert advanced alone on the first and put it out of action with hand grenades and rifle fire, killing three 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.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Wounds and death in action

  • Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (December 24, 1942).
  • Age at death: 20
  • Resting place: Helenville-Evergreen Lutheran Cemetery

Timeline

  1. November 19, 1922
    Born in Helenville, Jefferson County, Wisconsin
  2. December 24, 1942
    Act of valor — near Buna, New Guinea
    Age 20. Company L, 127th Infantry, 32d Infantry Division Killed in action.
  3. Resting place
    Helenville-Evergreen Lutheran Cemetery
    Helenville, Wisconsin

Also honored for actions on December 24, 1942

EB Elmer J. Burr First Sergeant · Army World War II · 1942 ✦

More World War II recipients from Wisconsin

GE Gerald Leon Endl Staff Sergeant · Army World War II · 1944 ✦ Oscar Verner Peterson Chief Watertender · Navy World War II · 1942 ✦ TO Truman O. Olson Sergeant · Army World War II · 1944 ✦ Douglas MacArthur General of the Army · Army World War II · 1941 John Louis Jerstad Major · Air Force World War II · 1943 ✦ Franklin van Valkenburgh Captain · Navy World War II · 1941 ✦
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.