Frank J. Grunseich -Surgical Technician

I thought I would share some information and pictures on my grandfather. Im sure some of you had read my request for help about a week ago on getting his personnel forms, well thankfully my uncle had the papers and i was given them along with pictures.

He served from 1942-1945 as a Surgical Technician 861 (Not sure what the 861 means) with the 85th Infantry Division(if i read it right), under organization it also says he was with the 26th General Hospital.

Under Decorations and Citations it says : Bronze Star Medal GO 21 HQ 85th Infantry Division 19 June 1944 (im not sure but i think it means that he was awarded the Bronze star on June 19th hopefully someone knows what it all means) American Service Medal Good Conduct Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal

Under Battles and Campaigns it lists: Naples-Foggia North Apennines Rome-Arno GO 33 WD 45 as Amended.

here are some pictures: the first one is the citation i believe it is for the Bronze Star, then the later ones are him we believe in Africa doing field exercises and the later is a group photo.

 

"GO" refers to "General Orders". "861" was probably his occupational specialty code in the Army.

Nice photos.

You may wish to read "The Other Side of Time" by Brendan Phibbs. It is the memoir of a combat surgeon who was in the 12th Armored Division.

Cheers

BW

 

Could someone please confirm or correct me if i read my grandpas 214 correct, that he was a part of the 85th infantry? because under organization it lists the 26th general hospital, so im not sure if he was always attached to the hospital, and was given the bronze star for his role in getting the wounded of the 85th out of there.

Thanks.

 

Hey there, not sure how often you check your messages. I was looking up surgical tech in WW2 and this post popped up. My father, Norman Reynolds, passed away almost 3 weeks ago. I grabbed anything I could find from his past to hold on to. I came across his discharge papers and low and behold his information is the exact as your grandfather.Surgical Tech 861 Algeria French Morocco Naples Foggia 33 WD 45 and European African Middle Eastern Service Medal. I loved your pictures and was wondering if your grandfather ever talked about the men he served with. Perhaps he knew my father. He also grew up in New York and was born in New Jersey.

 

I dont have any stories from my grandfather, he never talked about the war to my dad or uncle, and i was too young when he went to hear any though i dont think i would have ever asked.

What division does your grandfathers detachment papers say he was with? maybe they had served together.