Friday, September 29, 2017

WW2 West Point Fallen - Rudyard Kipling Grimes, Philippine Scouts

West Point grad Rudyard Kipling Grimes became a captain and company commander
in the Philippine Scouts 57th Infantry Regiment.
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=25014766&ref=acom 
Rudyard Kipling Grimes never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on September 29, 1917 in Texas. His parents were also both born in Texas. His father worked as a newspaper editor. Rudyard had an older half-borther and two younger sisters. He graduated from West Point in 1939. Later that summer he married Azile Coffey.

By 1941 Rudyard has risen to the rank of captain leading Company M, 3rd Battalion, 57th Infantry Regiment. His wife moved with him to his station in the Philippines.

The 57th was part of the Philippine Scouts. It fought against the Japanese on the Bataan Peninsula after the war started. Company M successfully repulsed the first eleven Japanese attacks. It cost them all but three of their officers. His troops thought Captain Grimes had a charmed life because he could not be killed despite his continuous exposure to enemy fire. Lack of food and supplies finally forced the Americans to surrender. Mrs. Grimes was able to get out of the Philippines and return to the United States. Meanwhile, Captain Grimes was a survivor of the Bataan Death March and became a prisoner of war. He died in captivity on October 16, 1942. The cause of death is unknown.

His grave is at Elmwood Memorial Park, Abilene, Texas. His widow remarried after the war and lived until 2015.

Thank you Rudyard for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Rudyard.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Join the public Facebook group WW2 Fallen 100

2 comments:

  1. This site is simply AMAZING!! Thank you for the time and effort you have put into this. I can think of no better project to remember those who have gone before us, note their sacrifice, and ensure the success of liberty. You are a patriot.
    Sincerely,

    Paul Calbos
    Colonel, Infantry, US Army Retired
    USMA, West Point Class of 1982
    Paratrooper - 1/325 Airborne IN Regiment & 1/505 Parachute IN Regiment
    Battalion Commander-Regional Police Advisory Team - South; Afghanistan
    Brigade Commander - Regional Support Command - North; Afghanistan

    ReplyDelete
  2. Im interested in any info re MIA Albert L. Ramsey, lst Lt. 57th Reg. He was killed 4-8-42. He was from. Okla.

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