Charles E. Grant
Staff Sergeant Charles E. Grant (1922 - 1984) was a non-commissioned officer with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, in the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army during World War II. Grant was portrayed in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers by Nolan Hemmings.
Before World War II
Grant was born in Los Angeles, California in 1922. He completed four years in high school and graduated. After graduation, he had an occupation in fabrication of medal products. Chuck enlisted with the paratroopers on August 18, 1942 in his hometown.
During World War II
Grant trained at Camp Toccoa under Herbert Sobel. Like many of the men from Easy Company, Charles made his first combat jump on D-Day as part of the Allied invasion of France. On September 19, 1944 in Holland, he was wounded while helping to destroy an 88mm gun. While Easy Company was in Austria, Grant was named the 2nd platoon's Staff Sergeant.
After the surrender of the armed forces of [...] Germany, Grant, along with the rest of Easy Company, became part of an occupation force. While driving in a jeep with two other members of Easy in July 1945 in Zell am See, Austria, Grant came across several dead soldiers on the ground: two Germans, a British major, and the major's driver. A drunken replacement from "I" Company had shot them, and Sergeant Grant was shot in the head when he confronted the man in an attempt to disarm him. Grant survived the shooting because of the quick actions of Ronald Speirs and Jack Foley rushing him to the Aid Station. The medic there told them that Grant would not survive. However, Ronald Speirs, not willing to lose Grant, loaded him on a jeep and drove to Saalfelden to find a German brain surgeon. The surgeon was able to operate on Grant and save his life.
After World War II
Grant recovered slowly from the gunshot wound to his head, and he occasionally had some problems talking and his left arm was partially paralyzed. He lived in San Francisco, owning a little tobacco shop. He attended several of the Easy Company reunions and became 506th Battalion's representative in the 101st Airborne association. He died in 1984.
Medals and Decorations
Purple Heart |
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World War II Victory Medal |
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Presidential Unit Citation with one Oak Leaf Cluster |
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Combat Infantryman Badge |
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Parachutist Badge with 2 jump stars |-Furb also won all these medals |
External links
pt:Charles E. Grant