Corporal Robert Woodrow Grove, of Pikeville Tennessee, served with Company I, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, 1st Marine Division. Corporal Grove was awarded the Navy Cross for heroism during the Battle of Cape Gloucester.
Robert Grove served with distinction during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He passed away on February 18, 1965 from wounds sustained while advising the South Vietnamese Rangers in Tu Thuan province and was posthumously honored with the Silver Star. Gunnery Sergeant Grove served his country for over 22 years.
⭐Robert Woodrow Grove’s Navy Cross Citation reads as follows:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Robert Woodrow Grove (306455), Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving as a Machine Gunner in Company I, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, on 27 December 1943. When a numerically superior enemy force attacked the positions of his company and succeeded in penetrating the lines, Corporal Grove courageously led a squad of men to the point of the break-through and, armed with his own weapon and that of one of his casualties, fearlessly charged a light and heavy Japanese machine gun, destroying or wounding the crews of both and capturing the valuable weapons. Corporal Grove’s valiant conduct and inspiring leadership contributed materially to the success of our forces in repulsing the hostile attack and re-establishing the lines and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Gunnery Sergeant Robert Woodrow “Pappy” Grove was 47 years old at the time of his passing. Decorated with the Navy Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart Medal Robert lies in rest at the Drake Cemetery in Van Buren County Tennessee. Lest We Forget.
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