World War II Honoree

Franklin W. Grimmer

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Belleville, Illinois

Honored By

Sandra Renner

Relationship

Niece

TECHNICIAN 5TH GRADE, MEMBER OF THE HEADQUARTERS BATTERY OF THE 265TH FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION. HIS UNIT SAILED FROM NEW YORK ON JULY 18, 1944 AND ARRIVED, BY WAY OF ENGLAND, ON OMAHA BEACH ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1944. MOVED THROUGH FRANCE, BELGIUM AND HOLLAND, TAKING UP POSITIONS AT BAESWEILER AND SETTERICH, GERMANY ON NOVEMBER 25 AND 26, 1944. THE 265TH PROVIDED 240MM ARTILLERY SUPPORT FOR INFANTRY CROSSING OF BOTH THE RHINE AND ELBE RIVERS, FIRING THEIR LAST ARTILLERY ROUNDS BEFORE V-E DAY ON APRIL 28, 1945.