Purple Heart Stories
Purple Heart Stories


Christian J. Gabriel's Story

Army, was also awarded a Bronze Star w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Combat Infantryman's Badge & Good Conduct Medal.


George Philip Gaffney, Jr.'s Story

Army Air Corps, My father was MIA for 55 years. The wreckage of his P-47 was found in June 1998 by Alfred Hagen as a result of a search I initiated. I escorted his remains home for burial in Arlington National Cemetery on 9 June 1999. The story can be found in Tom Brokaw's book, "The Greatest Generation Speaks".


Morris J. Gahagan's Story

Armed Services--Co. C 53rd Arm'd Inf Bn, date-21 Mar 1941 to 23 Jul 1945 Military Specialty--Light Machine Gunner 604 Purple Heart--in combat against Germans, received wounds in lower leg from mortar fire. Decorations and citations--Purple Heart Medal, Dist Unit Badge w/Star Marine Hq Americal Div 43, 1 Service Stripe Good Conduct Ribbon, American Defense Service Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 1 silver Battle Star, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star Lapel Button Issued.


Gerald Corbett Gaines' Story

Gerald Corbett Gaines was a private in the U. S. Army with the Anti-Tank Company, 31st Inf. Reg't. He was originally with the 4th Separate Chemical Company. Was promoted to Sgt posthumously.

He was captured by the Japanese, and was a participant in the Bataan death march. He died from yellow jaundice on June 3, 1942 while a prisoner at Camp O'Donnel, Philippines.

The date on the Purple Heart certificate dated Jun 6, 1944, states "for wounds received in action resulting in his death May 8, 1944, presumed."

He was also awarded the Silver Star.


Gerard James Gallagher's Story

Army Air Force, Died while serving as Navigator on a B17. "Mairzy Doats" was the aircraft. He also recieved the Air Medal.


Edward Joseph Gallant's Story

Army, For wounds suffered during gallantry in action on 12 May 1944, on Hill 316, near Ventosa Italy during the third battle and the taking of Monte Cassio, while serving with the 88th Infantry Division. PFC Gallant placed himself voluntarily in advance of his Company, disregarding the continuous and murderous enemy artillery, mortar, and small arms fire. Although a mine exploding near him threw him to the rocky ground, stunning and bruising him causing lacertations to his left leg so severe that PFC Gallant had to use safety pins in his leg to slow the bleeding. He proceeded ahead, again, of his platoon when they were pinned down by fire from four enemy machine guns less than one hundred yards away. He laid down fire from his Browning automatic rifle with deadly precision, which knocked out the enemy machine guns and allowed the platoon to press forward. PFC Gallant again voluntarily advanced ahead of his company during the daylight attack of the following morning and wiped out four more machine gun nests which were holding up the advance of the company. This action made it possible for the company to take its part of the battalion objective. He also later accompanied a combat patrol sent to wipe out enemy positions on the near slope of Hill 316, giving the patrol accurate supporting fire until he was wounded again. He personally accounted for eight dead, three wounded and three captured. This hero is my father, age 77, now of Whightinsville, Massachusetts.


Earl Lee Gardner's Story

Navy, Aboard the S.S. Steel Voyager went down Sept 29-1943 due to enemy submarine action Other medals: Euro- Afr, Asiatic Pac, Purple Heart, American Theater & Victory Ribbon.


John W. Gartland's Story

Sgt. Gartland served in CO D of the 67th ARMD regiment as a medium tank crewman. According to his discharge certificate he served in Algeria French Morocco; the Ardennes; Central Eurpoe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland and Sicily (GO 33 WD 45). Sgt. Gartland obtained the following decorations: Silver Star (GO 36 2nd ARMD Div 4 Jun 45), Purple Heart (GO 46 HQ 119th EMAO Hosp 13 Jul 45), European African Middle Eastern Service Medal; Good Conduct Medal and Victory Medal.


Frederick P. Gartner's Story

Army, Artilleryman, exact circumstances unknown. Buried in the US Military Cemetery at Florence Italy.


William V. Gasser's Story

Avon Park Bomb Range; was also awarded Silver wings, Presidential Unit Citation & French Citation.


James Maurice Gavin's Story

General James M. Gavin (DOB: 3/22/07) (West Point, 1929) was a colonel commanding the 505 Parachute Regimental Combat Team in Sicily, Italy, ADC of the 82nd AB in Normandy then later the commander of the 82nd Airborne in World War II. Other awards received include the Distinguished Service Cross with oak leaf cluster, the Silver star with oak leaf cluster and Croix de Guerre and many other foreign awards for valor. He received the Purple Heart in Sicily for a minor leg wound that was reported when he had it treated at an aid station. Apparently he was quite embarrassed about receiving the award even though he recieved the Distinguished Service Cross for the same action on July 11, 1943. By all accounts this man was a soldier with who fought with extreme valor at all times and was considered very lucky until he parachuted into the Netherlands with Operation Market Garden on September 17, 1944. He fractured veterbre in his spine on that jump, did not report it or have it treated until after the campaign and fought for nearly two months with the injury. Sources: Paratrooper, the Life of General James M. Gavin by T. Michael Booth and Duncan Spencer and Citizen Soldiers by Stephen Ambrose.


Henry J. Geier's Story

Army, His wound was inflicted by a piece of schrapnel from a Japanese hand gernade while he was on patrol. He was hit in the leg. Honorably discharged Jan. 14, 1946. Also awarded the Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal with 2 bronze stars and a bronze arrowhead, WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal with a Bronze star, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar. 129th infantry, Co. E.


Jack Earl Gell's Story

Received Bronze Star also. US Army, Co. A 1/7 lst Cav. Div. Company communications chief/radio operator. Sgt. Gell's bravery is mentioned throughout the book; "We Were Soldiers Once...And Young', written by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore (Ret.) and Joseph L. Galloway in '92.


Blas Gerardo's Story

Army, He was captured at the the Battle of the Bulge, and was badly beaten in the POW camp. When he was brought back to the states, family could hardly reconzie him, in fact, he could hardly believe what he saw in the mirror. He never accepted, at the time, anything because he felt he was just so glad to be alive with all lims in tack. The only thing he did accept was a change of MOA on his discharge orders to Truck Driver 345, in order to help him get a job.


Gordon R. Gerhartz's Story

12th Tech. School Squadron Air Corps. was also awarded an air medal, an Oak Leaf Cluster, a 2nd & 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Condut Medal, Dist. Flying Cross, and Dist. Unit Badge.


Nicholas J. Gier's Story

Navy, Nick was transferred to a hospital ship. On September 11, 1944 Nick and three of the crew who were wounded at Guam, reported back aboard for duty. On November 12, at 1330, an award ceremony was held after all hands fell in at quarters for muster. Nicholas J. Gier was awarded the Purple Heart aboard the LST 481 by Commander Lea. Nick survived his shrapnal wounds but on May 10, 1988 he gave up his battle with cancer. He is buried at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. He was proud to have served his country.


Ben Ginelli's Story

Army, Was awarded two purple hearts and the Bronze Star as well as the cross of Lorraine received from the French Government.


Donald Richard Gise's Story

Army, He was part of 10 man patrol overrun by 50-100 VC/NVa force We could not help them the fight lasted less than one minute.


Philip L. Givan's Story

3 bronze stars for Marshall Island Operation (Kwajalein), Marianas Operation (Saipan) and Iwo Jima Operation. American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Victory Medal WWII, Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon w/star.


Carroll Glasgow's Story

Army, 1st Armoured Division. My father was chosen to allow himself to be captured so that he could create resistence in the POW camps or at least protect the other POW's by asking for enforcement of the Geneva accords. He was injured at least twice. He was bayonetted in the leg while in an illegal POW camp in southern Italy shortly after being captured in Tunisia by Rommel's troops. He was injured again while being transported to a German POW camp by train. The train was bombed by Allied Bombers who thought the train was carrying troops north out of southern Italy. "Fortunately" the train had stopped in Rome and the German guards had allowed the POW's to get out onto the platform at a station when the bombing happened. My Father had damage to both of his eardrums and could not hear for many days. He was a POW for 25 months before he escaped from Stalag 17(?) shortly before the Russian troops occupied the territory. He escaped in May of 1945 and was back in Indiana by June. He got the opportunity to ask General Patton why he was chosen for this assignment. According to my father he said,"You have an IQ of about 160 and you look like a dumb *****. I couldn't get anyone better."


James Gleason's Story

Army Air Force, was KIA during the attack on Pearl Harbor. James was born in Logan Section of Philadelphia, but spent most of his years growing up in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania.


John H. Goble's Story

Army, he was part of the 448th anti aircraft and artillery Bn. Was wounded by a 88 shell. He is now living in Big Rock, VA.


Howard Eugene Godwin's Story

Army, Howard was in the Infantry and was only 20 when he was killed by German machine gun fire. He was buried for 3 years at St. Mere Eglise cemetery in France then shipped to Tampa, Florida to be buried at the family cemetery.


David Goldberg's Story

U.S Army Corps of Engineers, U.S Army Infantry Received the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Bronze Star and the European African and Middle Eastern Campaigns Medal.


Harold Goldmann's Story

37th Infantry Trn. Bn. Was also a POW from January 23, 1945 until being liberated from a German Prison Camp May, 1945.


Benjamin A. Gonya's Story

Army, He was on guard duty, they were not expecting any Germans to be around. While he was walking, sudden shots rang out and he was on the ground. He was shot five times, three in the legs one in the arm and one in the foot. He lost his big toe on right foot. He says that two Germans, one on each side put rifles to the sides of his head and the German in command stopped them. He was asked his religion, and he said he thanked God he was Catholic. He received the purple heart, the V.A. has never refused to help him in later life. He was taken prisoner of war for eight months, when he came home he was forty pounds underweight, needless to say every one in our family is very proud of our uncle.


Ronald L. Goode's Story

Medevac Pilot, received injuries as a result of enemy fire while performing dust-off; also awarded RVN Gallantry Cross & Dist. Flying Cross.


Emiliano Gorgas-Cabrera's Story

U. S. Army. Machine Gun Section, Heavy Weapons Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Divison. Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal. On 12 May 1951, I was travelling in a Convoy's Task Force at a battle with Chinese Forces at a Communist Strong-hold near Chorwon, North Korea, when our Convoy was attacked. I was hit by shrapnels from Mortar Shells. 19 men members of my Machince gun Section, of Company D, 65th Infantry Regiment, all natives of Puerto Rico, were mortally wounded.


Frank Raymond Goulet's Story

Platoon leader Company E., 304 Infantry, 3rd Army; Awarded: Purple Heart, Bronze Star, also named on a memorial at the Yakima Firing Range, Yakima, WA.


Owen Russell Graham's Story

Owen R. Graham was in the Army Air Corps. He was stationed in the Philippines when the Japanese invaded, and was taken prisoner. Survived the Bataan Death March. Was on a Japanese ship full of POWs in the South China Sea. The ship was sunk by an American submarine. Owen Graham did not survive.


William Charles Graham's Story

Bill was killed in the invasion of Normandy. He was the youngest child and only son. He also left 4 sisters. He was brought back home and reburied in Feb of 1948.


Kenneth Leonard Gray's Story

Technical Sergeant Kenneth L. Gray, Engineer-waist gunner with the Eighth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortress "Eight Ball" in the European theater of operations. He was inducted into the "Lucky Bastard Club" on August 30, 1944. He flew over 50 missions during his time of service. His group was a unit of the 3rd Bombardment Division, cited by the President for its shuttle missions to Africa, when Messerschmitt aircraft plants at Regensburg were bombed. He flew in attacks on military targets in Berlin on oil refineries at Brux, Nagdeburg, Leipzig and Merseburg, on aircraft plants at Brunswick, Stuttgart, Munich, Posen and Rostock, and on a ball bearing plant at Schweinfurt. He was in action on D-Day. "Berlin was the worst" he said. "The plane was shot up by flak and we came in on two engines. The other two quit when we landed". He was awarded the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster for being injured twice, once in Brux where he was injured in the head by flak; once (location not known) he was injured in the legs by flak, this injury caused him to get an honorable discharge from the service. Among his many citations and awards are: Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster for being injured twice. Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement during bombing attacks on Nazi war plants and on military targets in France in support of Allied ground forces. ETO Ribbons with Two Stars for major engagements. The Silver Star for gallantry in action. The Air Medal With Three Oak Leaf Clusters for meritorious achievement on bombing attacks over Nazi Europe. American Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Bar and a Blue Ribbon indicating that his unit won the Presidential citation.


Anthony A. Graziano's Story

I was wounded in the Vosges Mountains in France in Oct, 1944. Sent to Italy for recovery, sent back to my outfit (3rd Infantry Div.), was wounded a second time in mid January and was immediately captured. Spent the final month of captivity in Heppenheim prison hospital. Our liberation date was March 27, 1945.


James Albert Grazini's Story

Merchant Marines, was one of only 14 survivors on the SS Hobbs Victory, sunk by a kamikaze.


Rob L. Green's Story

Technician Green, an African-American artilleryman, was massacred along with 10 fellow soldiers during the Battle of the Bulge.


Christopher J. Greer's Story

Branch of service: Army Battery A 400th AA Artillery AW Battalion Other medals or awards: European African Middle Eastern Service Medal Good Conduct Medal World War II Victory Medal.


Gregory Paul Greiner's Story

Marine, Was Squad Leader and was ambushed....sustained through and through gunshop wound to my thigh and was subsequently medivaced two days later. The chopper was shot down by rpg round and received shrapnel to my right foot, left shoulder and left back....finally made it out and was in hospitals in Danang, Phillipines, Guam and finally Oak Knoll Naval Hospital Oakland, Ca. Was Discharged two months later....I made it out alive!


Vernon C. Griffin's Story

The USS Brownson DD-518 was commissioned February 3, 1943, and was sunk by enemy action off the island of New Britain, during the second Guadalcanal campaign on December 26, 1943. Vernon Griffin received three Purple Hearts while serving in the USN.


David J. Grimley's Story

Marines, David Grimley passed away in 1982, family memories are no longer clear after nearly twenty years of his absence. The story best I heard was that during a fire fight a buddy was down in the cross-fire and David crawled across to extract his fellow marine, where in which he was struck with schrapnal, cutting short his second tour in Vietnam. God Bless you David, your family misses you.


Claude Milton Grokett's Story

GO #11, 127th Inf., 14 Jan 1945. Also awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Army Good Conduct, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign w/3 Bronze Battle Stars, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (Navy), Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Liberation Medal w/1 Bronze Battle Star, Expert Marksmanship Badge w/Rifle & Machine Gun Bars, Driver Badge w/Driver-W Bar, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. Born 11 Oct 1916 in Oakland, California; died 14 Nov 1995 in Lower Lake, California. Served in the 40th Infantry Division between 1932-1936 (National Guard); Inducted on 8 Apr 1943, had Basic Training at Camp Beale, then was sent to New Guinea where he initially served as a truck driver--his lifelong profession. When the 32nd Infantry Division (to which he was assigned) needed infantrymen for the Leyte Campaign, he changed jobs. Continued to served with the 127th Infantry Regiment until a mortar blast exploded in his foxhole. After recovering from his wounds, at least to some extent, he served with the 133rd Military Police Platoon until discharged on 23 Oct 1945. In 1947 he joined the Naval Reserve and served out of San Luis Obispo until discharged in 1955. Although quiet and unassuming, he was as tough as he was kind. The Grokett family has quite a military heritage, and his cousin's ordeal in the Bataan Death March can be found on the Internet under Russell Grokett.


Michael J. Gruenwald's Story

Mike's tour started February 6, 1969. He was with the 25th Infantry Division. He died of Multiple Fragmentation Wounds.


Jack D. Gruner's Story

Army Air Corps, My father died in 1981 and never talked about the war. I have all his medals, including his Purple Heart. He was only 20 when he received it.

From the MACR report, he was flying out of Amendola, Italy with the 15th Air Force, 2nd BombGroup (H), 96th Bomb Sq (H). Apparently the severely damaged plane limped back to Bari, Italy with 5 crew members.

He and 4 other men bailed out of a B-17 over Vienna. My dad was shot in the shoulder and possibly broke his leg.

The pilot was William C. Donnell, the Co-Pilot was Thomas J. Vaughn.

The mission number was 300, aircraft # 297438, and dad was a top turret gunner.

Others who bailed out with him:

Roy L. Compton {2nd Lt.}
Charles, W. Melvin {1st Lt.}
Stanley J. Pociask {radio operator}
John J. Meringola {KIA}


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