World War II Honoree

Michael E. Grimes

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Massachusetts

Honored By

Harvey S. Sutherland

Relationship

Airborne - 509th PIB

SUICIDE MISSION. PRISONER OF WAR. ON SEPTEMBER 19, 1943 PARACHUTED ONTO THE MOUNTAINS NEAR AVELLINO, ITALY IN SUPPORT O THE SALERNO BEACHHEAD TO DISRUPT THE ADVANCING GERMAN REINFORCEMENTS, CAUSE HAVOC, HARASSMENT AND TO SLOW THEIR ATTACKS ONTO THE BEACHHEAD. THE U.S. 5TH ARMY WAS IN PERIL AND ON THE VERGE OF RETREATING FROM THE ITALIAN PENINSULA. THE 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION PARACHUTED ONTO THE BEACHHEAD. SERVED WITH THE ELITE 509TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY BATTALION IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS.