George served as a Sergeant, Company L, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, U.S. Army during World War II.

He resided in Lewis County, Washington prior to the war.

He enlisted in the Army on July 19, 1943 in Seattle, Washington. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being Single, without dependents.

George was "Killed In Action" in France during the war.

He was awarded the "Distinguished Service Cross", Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart.

Service # 39212214

Son of Matt Grando who resided in Vander, Washington.

(Bio by: Russ Pickett)

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At 1400 hrs October 31st 1944 Les Rouges Eaux Valley, France Company L encountered strong enemy defenses and stubborn resistance -- in the valley itself near Marmonfosse and on the south side.

While leading his squad in area attack across bare coverless ground Staff Sergeant George A. Grando of Company "L" encountered withering machine gun cross fire from German positions thirty-five yards to his right front. The men of his squad hit the ground but were unable to find cover.

Though Sergeant Edward J. McDermott and Private First Class Frederick E. Hoey were killed in action and five riflemen namely, Private First Class William A. Free, Privates Elmer H. Glenn Jr. Everett W. Humphrey, Frank T. Patrician and James L. Medlock were wounded, Staff Sergeant Grando grimly continued the fight alone.

Kneeling in full view of the enemy he fired his "Tommy" gun at the two German machine gun positions. When his last round of ammunition was spent he crawled five yards through a hail of machinegun and sniper fire to wrench a Browning Automatic Rifle from a dead gunners grasp. Before he could engage the enemy a burst of machine gun fire struck him. Mortally wounded and with seconds of life left to live Staff Sergeant Grando fired two magazines of Browning automatic rifle ammunition into the hostile positions, silenced both machine guns and killed their crews before he died.

By his tenacity and determination he enabled his platoon to resume its advance. For his extraordinary heroism in action he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Above information submitted by Dwight "Andy" Anderson.

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George served as a Sergeant, Company L, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, U.S. Army during World War II.

He resided in Lewis County, Washington prior to the war.

He enlisted in the Army on July 19, 1943 in Seattle, Washington. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being Single, without dependents.

George was "Killed In Action" in France during the war.

He was awarded the "Distinguished Service Cross", Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart.

Service # 39212214

Son of Matt Grando who resided in Vander, Washington.

(Bio by: Russ Pickett)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At 1400 hrs October 31st 1944 Les Rouges Eaux Valley, France Company L encountered strong enemy defenses and stubborn resistance -- in the valley itself near Marmonfosse and on the south side.

While leading his squad in area attack across bare coverless ground Staff Sergeant George A. Grando of Company "L" encountered withering machine gun cross fire from German positions thirty-five yards to his right front. The men of his squad hit the ground but were unable to find cover.

Though Sergeant Edward J. McDermott and Private First Class Frederick E. Hoey were killed in action and five riflemen namely, Private First Class William A. Free, Privates Elmer H. Glenn Jr. Everett W. Humphrey, Frank T. Patrician and James L. Medlock were wounded, Staff Sergeant Grando grimly continued the fight alone.

Kneeling in full view of the enemy he fired his "Tommy" gun at the two German machine gun positions. When his last round of ammunition was spent he crawled five yards through a hail of machinegun and sniper fire to wrench a Browning Automatic Rifle from a dead gunners grasp. Before he could engage the enemy a burst of machine gun fire struck him. Mortally wounded and with seconds of life left to live Staff Sergeant Grando fired two magazines of Browning automatic rifle ammunition into the hostile positions, silenced both machine guns and killed their crews before he died.

By his tenacity and determination he enabled his platoon to resume its advance. For his extraordinary heroism in action he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Above information submitted by Dwight "Andy" Anderson.

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