George Grimm
---- - 1993
Sergeant Major

S/Sgt. George Grimm, 27, enlisted in the Marines in January 1941 and went overseas in October of 1942. He saw service at Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Tinian, and Saipan. He was home on furlough in July 1942.


George Grimm

Mr. George Grimm, retired Marine Sergeant Major, died January 21, 1993, at home. Memorial service is 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Boles Funeral Home, Southern Pines.

Survivors are his wife, Virginia; son, Patrick Grimm of Aberdeen, North Carolina; daughters, Mrs. Cheryl Phillips of Winter Springs, Florida; Mrs. Wendy Mullinix of Carthage, North Carolina; Mrs. Cynthia Allgood, Pinebluff, North Carolina; sister, Dee Balukoff of Manning, Iowa.

Memorials may be made to Sandhills Hospice, P.O. Box 1956, Pinehurst, North Carolina, 28374.


George Grimm
Retired Sgt. Major George Grimm, 75, born in Manning, Iowa, to Edward and Dorothea (Vinke) Grimm, and died January 21, 1993, in his home at Pinebluff, North Carolina.

He served in the Marine Corps for 28 years. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He was awarded the Bronze Star in the Pacific theater and was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

A memorial service was conducted January 24, 1993 at the Boles Funeral Home Chapel. Sgt. Major Grimm is survived by his wife, Virginia Grimm; a son, Patrick Grimm of Aberdeen; three daughters, Cheryl Phillips of Winterspring, Florida, Cynthia Allgood of Pinebluff, and Wendy Mullinix of Carthage; a sister, Dee Balukoff of Manning, Iowa; and three grandchildren.


Sgt. Maj. Grimm Retires After 26 Years
Sgt. Maj. George Grimm, who won the Bronze Star Medal for heroic action on Saipan, retired October 30th after more than 26 years of service to his country.

Lt. Col. Robert A. Walker, commanding officer of Marine Air Reserve Training Detachment, Atlanta, Georgia, made the presentation of Sgt. Maj. Grimm's retirement certificate, also commending him for his outstanding service as the Detachment's Sgt. Maj., a position he has held since his arrival to MARTD, Atlanta in January, 1965.

The Iowa farm boy began his career in February 1941 and underwent basic training at San Diego, California. After his successful completion of basic training, his first assignment was at Marine Barracks, Bremerton, Washington. A few months later Grimm was transferred to the 6th Marine Regiment which was departing for overseas. Sgt. Grimm's first taste of combat was on the island of Guadalcanal, while attached to the 8th Marine Regiment during the battle on Saipan, his heroic actions won him the Bronze Star. Sgt. Grimm remained in the South Pacific during the entire war.

Following World War II, Sgt. Grimm's Peacetime assignments included the Naval Supply Depot, Bayonne, New Jersey, Quantico, Virginia, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Camp Pendleton, California; and a short tour in the Arctic testing military equipment. His last assignment before reporting to MARTD, Atlanta, was recruiting duty at Omaha, Nebraska.


Manning Monitor article------ 1943

Writes Home From Battle Area
Sgt. George, Grimm writes to his mother, Mrs. Dora Grimm and family, stating that he received a letter from home recently and was really happy to get it.

"I am still in a combat area. I don't know how long we will be here, but hope not too long. I don't know why they can't fight a war in decent territory. It's hot and rains nearly every day. I have been up in the lines a few days and likely be there a lot more before it is over. It is not so bad up there. I think everybody is always a little scared at first.
You always get shot at and can't see anybody to shoot back at. Those snipers really know their stuff. Don't worry about me though, I can take care of myself. I just hope I get the chance to get one for each one in the family.

"I am still well and happy. Getting all I want to eat. I am getting a little of the fat off but that can be expected. I had a lot to get rid of.
He writes that he hopes the boys are still in the states. He adds that he could use a few towels and a few bars of soap.
Sgt. George "Jake" Grimm


Sgt. Geo. Grimm At Tarawa
Sgt. George "Jake" Grimm, writes to Ella Reimers in response to her letter written at the Chamber of Commerce dinner last month. He is writing on a carton of cigarettes, the only available table at the time. He commends, the Chamber for writing to the boys.

George writes that he is back in friendly territory now and can tell of some of the places where he has been. He has just returned from Tarawa and "am really glad that was quite some place."

He was also in the battle at Guadalcanal, and is thus getting to be quite a vet. During the time between battles he was in New Zealand and he liked that country very much--much like the states. He says he has been at quite a few other places but can't mention them right now. At present he is near the states but can't mention the location.
He writes that he is glad his mother is well, and is writing her too-the first time he has had an opportunity for some time. He sends regards to all his friends, says he is well and happy and "still in there pitching for the old home town."
He also expresses his appreciation for the letter written him.


Manning Monitor article------ 1944

George Grimm on Saipan Saipan Island, Aug. 17, 1944.
Dear Friends:
Am taking a little time out to write you of a change in my address. Don't want to miss an issue of the Monitor by not letting you know in time. I also want to take this time again in thanking the Legion and Monitor for making it possible for all of us boys in the service to receive the Monitor. I know it is appreciated by all.
Myself, I read every page; I like the service men's column especially!
It really is swell knowing where all the boys are stationed.

I was, on the Island of Saipan during the battle and also the island of Linian. At the present I am back on Saipan resting up once again. It is quite a nice place to be, but at the present time it rains a little too much. Rains means a lot though for keeping clean, as the water shortage is always a little bad at first.

There isn't much to write about; lots of things though that I would like to tell about but am afraid the censor wouldn't like it right now.
Say hello to all my friends for me, and here's hoping I see them all before too long.
Your friend, "Jake." Sgt. George Grimm.


Mrs. Dora Grimm has received word that George Grimm has been promoted to Staff Sgt.
He is with the second division of the Marines on Saipan.


Manning Monitor article------ 1945


Official Marine Corps Photo.
Somewhere in the Pacific (Delayed) Marine S/Sgt. George Grimm, son of Mrs. Dora Grimm, of 516 May street, Manning, was awarded the bronze star medal by Maj. Gen. Thomas E. Watson commanding general of the second marine division, in ceremonies held recently at, this Pacific base.

Grimm, a member of a pioneer battalion, is a veteran of the Tarawa and Marinas Islands campaigns. For his part with the division in the Tarawa campaign he holds the presidential unit citation.
He has three brothers in service.


Manning Marine With Corps
Technicians Testing Army
Equipment in Polar Regions
Of all the varied experiences told by veterans of the last war as they returned from points of duty throughout the world, none had a more diversified experience than did Sgt. George Grimm, USMC, of Manning, who was home recently on leave following a trek into the ice-locked regions of the polar zone.

In a recent issue of an official marine publication appeared a comprehensive report of this expedition of corps technicians who tested latest army equipment under most severe cold weather conditions that could be found.

Thirty men made up the detachment, 21 of them veteran non-commissioned officers of the southwest Pacific, chosen for their combined technical skills. To most of them, shoving off from Boston harbor last year, there was not the adventure and anxiety that had accompanied their wartime voyages.

Beyond Arctic Circle Destination of the men was not revealed until they were well into the cold waters of icy Straits of Belle Island between Newfoundland and Labrador. They learned that for the first time marines were conducting a limited non-tactical operation more than 450 miles beyond the Arctic Circle.
The visit and study of equipment lasted a month but into those four weeks were crammed experiences never to be forgotten by the men on the expedition.


Home on Leave After Trip to North Pole
Sgt. Geo. Grimm of the marine corps is spending a 10-day leave in Manning during the holidays.
George is stationed in North Carolina at the present time and has just recently returned from an expedition to the north pole.

Upon his return to duty he will be transferred to Puerto Rico. George relates that during his excursion to the polar region he was without The Manning Monitor but states that it is again coming through on schedule.
He wishes to express his gratitude to those responsible for his receiving the paper.


S-Sgt. George Grimm of the U. S. marine corps returned to Camp Lejeune, N. C. Friday after spending about ten days with his mother, Mrs. Dora Grimm and his brothers and sisters of this vicinity.