Born: July 1925
Died: July 24, 1944
Campaigns Served: Namur, Saipan (wounded), Tinian (killed)
Highest Rank Attained: Private First Class
Decorations: Purple Heart with Gold Star
Samuel Grimes was born in Missouri, the oldest son of Samuel and Beulah Grimes. He was raised along with two older step-siblings (Opal and Lionel) and younger brother Eugene, in the town of Liberty. Grimes attended Central High School in nearby Kansas City, and briefly held a job with the Santa Fe Railroad before enlisting in the Marines. After completing boot camp at MCRD San Diego, Grimes joined the First Separate Battalion (Reinforced) then training at Camp Pendleton. They became the First Battalion, 24th Marines in August, 1944; Grimes was a member of the battalion's weapons company.
With Dog Company:
PFC Grimes trained with Dog Company. He was transferred to Headquarters Company in the fall of 1943.
With HQ Company:
Grimes became a member of the duty section of Headquarters Company. He saw his first combat in the battle of Namur, in early February. The following spring, PFC Grimes became a member of Charlie Company.
With Charlie Company:
As a rifle platoon messenger, Grimes saw action on Saipan. He was wounded in action early in the campaign, but was returned to the lines on June 23. Samuel Grimes celebrated his nineteenth birthday as the fighting on Saipan wound down.
Grimes was killed on July 24, 1944, as his company made the assault landing on Tinian. He was buried in Plot 1, Row 2, Grave 80 of the Fourth Marine Division Cemetery on Tinian. He was buried in a private cemetery in the United States after the war.
Collector Nick Barba obtained several of Samuel Grimes' decorations in an auction. Thanks to Nick for the following pictures.
Grimes' Purple Heart. The Gold Star indicates a second wound. The ribbon bar at top is the Navy Presidential Unit Citation with one star; awarded for participation in action on Saipan and Tinian.
The back of Grimes' Purple Heart.