Medal of Honor: Kenneth E. Gruennert – World War II – New Guinea – December 1942
On Christmas Eve in the steaming jungles of Buna, one infantry sergeant advanced alone against fortified enemy positions. Gravely wounded, he refused to leave his men and pressed the attack until he fell.
December 26, 2025
Name: Kenneth E. Gruennert
Rank: Sergeant
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: Company L, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division
Place: Near Buna, New Guinea
Entered Service At: Helenville, Wisconsin
Born: Helenville, Wisconsin
Summary of Action
On 24 December 1942, Sergeant Kenneth E. Gruennert served as second in command of a platoon tasked with breaking through enemy lines and driving 600 yards to the beach near Buna, New Guinea. When the platoon encountered two heavily defended Japanese pillboxes less than 150 yards from the objective, the advance was brought to a halt under intense fire.
Acting on his own initiative, Sergeant Gruennert advanced alone against the first pillbox, destroying it with hand grenades and rifle fire and killing three enemy soldiers. Seriously wounded in the shoulder during the assault, he bound his wound under cover and steadfastly refused evacuation, choosing instead to remain with his men.
With undiminished determination and under extremely heavy fire, he then attacked the second pillbox. As he closed in, he hurled grenades that forced the defenders into the open, where they were engaged by his advancing platoon. Before the leading elements could reach him, Sergeant Gruennert was struck down by enemy sniper fire. His fearless actions cleared the way for his platoon, which became the first unit to reach the beach, splitting the enemy position and contributing decisively to the success of the operation.
Medal of Honor Citation
