Richard Theodore Grosch

Marine Corps Reserve | Service Number 458347

Born

December 12, 1920
in St. Louis, MO

Parents

George Joseph Grosch
Elizabeth Ann (Sutter) Grosch

School

High school graduate
Details unknown

Pre-War Employment

Crystal Electric Sign Company

Entered Service

September 9, 1942
at St. Louis, MO

Joined First Battalion

July 5, 1943
from Marine Barracks, Camp Pendleton

Left First Battalion

July 30, 1944
Killed in action at Tinian

Left Service

July 30, 1944
Killed in action

Home Address and Next of Kin

1032 Theobald Street, St. Louis, MO – home of father, Mr. George Grosch
Richard’s younger brother Raymond drowned in a boating accident one month before Richard joined the Marine Corps.
His next younger brother, Coxswain Arthur Grosch, was lost in the sinking of USS Eagle 56 off Cape Elizabeth, Maine, on 23 April 1945.

Service & Campaigns

Before joining battalion

Boot camp at MCRD San Diego. Outposted to H&S Company, 19th Marines, Third Marine Division at Camp Elliott, CA.

Transferred to Guard Company, Marine Barracks, Camp Pendleton on 24 January 1943.

Transferred to 24th Marines on 5 July 1943.

Roi-Namur

Outfit: A/1/24th Marines
Rank: PFC
MOS: 522 (Guard) – assistant machine gunner to PFC George A. Smith

Campaign Narrative

Saipan

Outfit: A/1/24th Marines
Rank: PFC
MOS: 604 (Machine Gunner)
Important Events:
Post-battle, promoted to Corporal (July 18, 1944) and hospitalized for illness (July 22-26, 1944)

Campaign Narrative

Tinian

Outfit: A/1/24th Marines
Rank: Corporal
MOS: 604 (Machine Gunner)
Important Events:
July 27, 1944 – returned to duty from hospital on Saipan.
July 30, 1944 – killed in action (gunshot wounds); exact circumstances unknown

Campaign Narrative