Russell Dean Grover
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Russell Dean Grover served in World War II in the European Theater.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army in July 1944. After basic training, he was assigned to the Infantry and was sent to Italy. While there, he became ill with pneumonia and spent five weeks in the hospital. After he recovered, he was assigned to the 401st Combat Engineers. The war in Europe had ended, and his unit boarded a ship for the Pacific Theater. They were on their way when the war in the Pacific ended.
Mr. Grover’s rank was Technical Sergeant (T-4).
Mr. Grover was born in Wrenshall, Minnesota, in 1924. He is the son of Hubert and Roverda Grover. He graduated from high school in 1942.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall veteran history form; veteran’s account (below)
“Pneumonia may have saved my life. Spent 39 days in hospital, during which time my company moved to the front lines. This was an infantry company. A lot of the troops never came home.
“After my hospital stay, I was transferred to the 401st Combat Engineers. Were headed for the Pacific. Three days out of the Mediterranean, the war ended. Orders changed, and we were sent home.”
