15-005 Bonus

[Mark in Rochester]

Soldiers of the 127th Infantry, 32nd Division, conducting a rifle inspection aboard the U.S.George Taylor en route from Brisbane, Australia to Port Moresby, New Guinea, on 18 November 1942.The 127th Infantry was reconstituted and was reorganized on 1 April 1921, in the eastern portion of Wisconsin and assigned to 32nd Division. It was inducted into Federal service on 15 October 1940, at Crandon. (The 32nd Division was redesignated on 1 August 1942, as 32nd Infantry Division).

On 26 November 1942, the 127th disembarked at Port Moresby after a period of training in Australia.[2] The 3rd Battalion, 127th Infantry Regiment now took over on the Urbana front at Buna during the battle of Buna–Gona. Not able to be supported by tanks due to the terrain and swampy land, the fighting was a desperate tree-by-tree, bunker-by-bunker struggle. On 24 December 1942, First Sergeant, Elmer J. Burr was posthumously awarded first Medal of Honor of the campaign by throwing himself onto a grenade and absorbing the explosion protecting his commanding officer.[3] Later the same day Sergeant, Kenneth E. Gruennert was awarded the Medal of Honor for knocking out two enemy bunkers single-handedly, and after being severely wounded in his attack against the first bunker, attacked the second bunker before being killed by a sniper.[4] Cpl. Clarence "Inky" J. Jungwirth (Ret.) is the last surviving combat veteran from the battle of Buna–Gona, et al. residing in Oshkosh, WI as of 2014.

The unit inactivated on 28 February 1946, at Fukuoka, Japan.

Elmer J. Burr


The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to First Sergeant Elmer J. Burr, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company I, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division. During an attack near Buna, New Guinea, on 24 December 1942, First Sergeant Burr saw an enemy grenade strike near his company commander. Instantly and with heroic self-sacrifice he threw himself upon it, smothering the explosion with his body. First Sergeant Burr thus gave his life in saving that of his commander.
General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 66, October 11, 1943

Action Date: 24-Dec-42

Service: Army

Rank: First Sergeant

Company: Company I

Regiment: 127th Infantry Regiment


Kenneth E. Gruennert

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company L, 127th Infantry, 32d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Buna, New Guinea, 24 December 1942. Entered service at: Helenville, Wis. Birth: Helenville, Wis. G.O. No: 66, 11 October 1943.

Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. On 24 December 1942, near Buna, New Guinea, Sgt. Gruennert was second in command of a platoon with a mission to drive through the enemy lines to the beach 600 yards ahead. Within 150 yards of the objective, the platoon encountered 2 hostile pillboxes. Sgt. Gruennert advanced alone on the first and put it out of action with hand grenades and rifle fire, killing 3 of the enemy. Seriously wounded in the shoulder, he bandaged his wound under cover of the pillbox, refusing to withdraw to the aid station and leave his men. He then, with undiminished daring, and under extremely heavy fire, attacked the second pillbox. As he neared it he threw grenades which forced the enemy out where they were easy targets for his platoon. Before the leading elements of his platoon could reach him he was shot by enemy snipers. His inspiring valor cleared the way for his platoon which was the first to attain the beach in this successful effort to split the enemy position.

Information

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[13Echo]

Buna - Gona and fighting over the Owen Stanley's. As nasty and as hard fought battles as any during WW II and almost unappreciated.

Thank you for these posts.

Jerry Liles