Sgt Kenneth E. Gruennert
U.S. Army, 32nd Infantry Division, 127th Infantry Regiment, Company L

Background
Kenneth E. Gruennert was born November 19, 1922 to parents Arthur Johann Wilhelm Gruennert and Belva Margaret Lenora Horn Gruennert in Helenville, Wisconsin. He attended three years of high school. On October 15, 1940 enlisted in the U.S. Army in Helenville, Wisconsin as a private with serial number 20647931. Assigned to the 32nd Infantry Division (32nd ID) "Red Arrow Division", 127th Infantry Regiment, Company L.

Wartime History
On December 24, 1942 during the Battle of Buna Sgt Gruennert was part of a group of soldiers tasked with driving to the north coast near Buna. Alone, he advanced and neutralized an enemy pillbox with hand grenades and rifle fire. Despite being wounded in the shoulder, he bandaged himself and refused to leave his men then assaulted a second pillbox allowing his men to neutralize the position but was shot by enemy snipers. Due to his actions, the rest of his platoon was was first to reach the beach and split the enemy's defenses.

Medal of Honor
For his actions on December 24, 1942, Gruennert earned the Medal of Honor, posthumously. At the request of his parents, his Medal of Honor was mailed to them. Today, displayed at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in Madison, WI.

Medal of Honor (December 24, 1942) General Orders No. 66, October 11, 1943 Citation: "The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Sergeant Kenneth E. Gruennert, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company L, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division. On 24 December 1942, near Buna, New Guinea, Sergeant 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 two hostile pillboxes. Sergeant 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."

Memorials
Gruennert was officially declared dead on December 24, 1942 at age 20. Postwar, he was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Helenville, WI at Section I, Row 7, Lot 78.

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Kenneth E. Gruennert
Congressional Medal of Honor Society - Kenneth E. Gruennert (MOH citation)
Hall of Valor - Kenneth E. Gruennert (full MOH citation)
FindAGrave - SGT Kenneth Edwin Gruennert (photo, grave photo)

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