World War II Honoree

Grover R. Wright

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Roanoke, Virginia

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Relationship

Friend

Rank: Gunner’s Mate Second Class. He was inducted into the United States Navy November 8, 1939, at Richmond, Virginia with Basic Military Training at the U.S. Naval Training Station Norfolk, Virginia. Upon his graduation from Boot Camp and with additional training; he was transferred to the USS Juneau Cruiser (CL-52) for duty. August 7, 1942, the USS Juneau with her Shipmate’s, along with an Armada of U. S. Warships arrived off the coastal shores of Guadalcanal Island. These U. S. Combatant Ships were anchored off Kukum Beach, intercepted an Imperial Japanese Naval Fleet. The enemy was moving down the "Slot" to bombard Henderson Field, and Marine Corps Ground Forces, located in the Southwester Pacific Theater of Operations. November 13, 1942, the USS Juneau was torpedoed, and sunk by an Imperial Japanese Submarine. He was reported “Missing-in-Action” or Buried at Sea, along with his gallant crew members, gone without a trace and will “Remain on Eternal Patrol”. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Location: Fort Bonifacio, Philippine Islands. In his Memory, this American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously for his Heroism, and ultimate sacrifice. He served his Country with Pride and Honor.