Richard J. Grabow

NAME: Richard J. Grabow

ASN: O-410544

PLACE OF BIRTH:

DATE OF BIRTH: Omaha, NE

DATES OF SERVICE:

UNIT ASSIGNED: E Co 2nd Bn 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment

B Co 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion

CAMPAIGNS: Naples-Foggia, Anzio

AWARDS: Parachutist Badge with One Combat Jump Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, Silver Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, European Africa Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with arrowhead and one bronze star, World War II Victory Medal

SUMMARY OF SERVICE:

2nd Lt. Richard J. Grabow, Army Service Number: O-410544, Unit Assigned: B Co 2nd Bn 509th PIR Orders Dated: 21-Oct-43, Special Order #75, Action Taken: On Jump Status as of 11 Oct 1943

1st Lt. Richard J. Grabow Army Service Number: O-410544, Unit Assigned: 509th PIB, Hometown: Omaha NE, Killed in Action: 27-Jan-44, Buried: Plot C Row 15 Grave 11 Sicily-Rome Am Cem, Nettuno, Italy. Awards: Silver Star, Purple Heart

1st Lt. Richard J. Grabow, Orders Dated: 21-Mar-44, General Order #45 HQ Fifth Army Action Taken: Award of Silver Star

Listed in the book "Stand in the Door" by Charles H. Doyle as having been awarded the Silver Star Medal on page 383 also listed on pages 160, 180, 201, 221

According to the book "Stand in the Door" page 160, Lt. Grabow participated in the Avellino, Italy Combat Jump on 14 September 1943. He and four other troopers met up with Captain Curtis, Captain Boettner and Lt. Robert W. Parker near Santa Lucia di Sorino, Italy on 20 September 1943.

According to the book "Stand in the Door" page 180, Lt Grabow participated in the battle to take and hold Mount Croce in the vicinity of Venafro, Italy on 09 November 1943.

Participated in the landings at Anzio, Italy. Boarded the ship Winchester Castle as a part of B Company with 8 officers and 115 enlisted men on 19 Jan 1944 at 0900. The 509th PIB was attached to the 6615st Ranger Force under Col. William Darby. The 509th PIB landed at Beach X-RAY YELLOW on 22 January 1944 at 0300 hours and worked with the other ranger battalions to capture the port facilities and costal artillery batteries in and around the town of Anzio, Italy

On 27 January 1944, B and C Company were ordered to take a road junction near Padiglione, Italy. There were two fatalities Lt Grabow and Kautz. The wounded were Corporal Burl E. Bolesta, Private First Class Reuschling, Pfc. On Chow, Pfc. Clyde Helton, Private James A. Knopp, Pvt. Bill E. Konig, Pvt. Ernest K. Gibson.

RICHARD J. GRABOW

1LT 509 PRCHT INF BN
NEBRASKA JAN 27 1944

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