Captain Donald E. Grigg

Captain Donald E. Grigg, US Army, deceased, Pine Bluff. Captain Grigg served two tours in Vietnam as an infantry Officer and earned the Silver Star Medal, Bronze Saar Medal, and two Purple Hearts.

Captain Grigg’ss Silver Star was awarded on December 4, 1966 while he was a First Lieutenant. Captain Grigg’s Silver Star narrative reads:

“For gallantry in action: First Lieutenant Grigg distinguished himself by exceptional heroism in action on 2 October 1966, while serving as a platoon leader during an assault on the enemy held village of Koa Hoi Republic of Vietnam. After making contact with an enemy force near the village, Lieutenant Grigg immediately deployed his platoon and began direction return fire on the enemy positions. At this point, ten Vietnamese civilians, mostly older men and women, came into the field between Lieutenant Grigg’s platoon and the enemy bunkers. Confused and bewildered by the noises of the battle, the civilians ran around in circles in the open field, not knowing which way to run for safety. With comlete disregard for his own safety, Lieutenant Grigg put aside his weapon and equipment and race out into the field to bring the civilians back to safety. Panic-stricken, they would not move out of the area immediately, and followed Lieutenant Grigg only after he picked up two young children and began carrying them back to the platoon. With enemy bullets striking all around him, he carried the two children to safety and then returned to the open area to assist two of the older people who had fallen behind. When he has insured that all of the civilians were in a covered position Lieutenant Grigg returned to his platoon and continued the assault on the enemy positions. His display of personal bravery and concern for the welfare of the helpless Vietnamese, at great risk to his own safety, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army