WW2 Fallen - Marlton Gruenwald, 37th Infantry Division + Forrest Tucker

Pvt. Marlton Gruenwald served with the 37th Infantry Division in Fiji.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/130501688/marlton-l-gruenwald

Marlton Lincoln Gruenwald never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on February 12, 1919 in Wisconsin. His parents John and Clara were also both born in Wisconsin. All his grandparents were from Germany or Austria. His father worked as a rubber works machinist. Marlton had an older brother and sister. By 1940 Marlton had completed four years of high school and worked as a driver. He married Gloria Luzi.

He was drafted into the army on November 10, 1941. He became a private in the HQ Company, ? Battalion, 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division. The 37th ID was sent to Fiji in June 1942 to defend it from possible Japanese invasion.

Pvt. Gruenwald died from non-combat reasons on January 24, 1943 while his unit was still in Fiji.

His grave is at Arlington Park Cemetery in Greenfield, Wisconsin. I don't know what happened to his widow.

Thank you Pvt. Gruenwald for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Marlton.

FORREST TUCKER
Hollywood character actor Forrest Tucker was also born on same day as Marlton Gruenwald, in Indiana. After growing up on a farm, Tucker had an early interest in becoming an entertainer. He also had an interest in serving his country and volunteered for the US Cavalry until he was sent home because he was underage.

Tucker began a successful acting career in Hollywood in mostly supporting roles until the war started when he once again enlisted in 1942 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the US Army. He was assigned to the Signal Corps and stayed state-side making movies for the army. He served until 1945.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/greenman2008/35876382725

Returning to Hollywood he became a mainstay in many western and action movies. One of his best known roles was in The Sands of Iwo Jima with John Wayne. He is probably best known for his role in the TV show F Troop. He died in 1986.

Last year on this date I profiled Medal of Honor hero and B-24 pilot John Jerstad who was part of the ill-fated Ploiesti Raid. You can read about John here.

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.

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WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org