New York National Guard Recognizes WWII Veteran

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New York State Conspicuous Service Star

LATHAM, NY (12/25/2007)(readMedia)-- Troy resident Nicholas Grinaldo will be presented the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal by Major General Joseph Taluto, the Adjutant General, in recognition of his service with the New York National Guard during the Second World War.

WHAT: Presentation of the New York State Conspicuous Service Star to World War II Veteran Nick Grinaldo, recognizing his membership in the 105th Infantry Regiment.

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 27

WHERE: The Adjutant General’s Conference Room, 4th Floor, Division of Military and Naval Affairs Headquarters, 330 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham NY, 11210

WHO: Major General Joseph Taluto, the Adjutant General and Commander of the New York National Guard, Nicholas Grinaldo and his wife, Virginia; other Mr. Grinaldo family members, and Mr. Wayne Clarke, a staff member at the New York State Military Museum in Saratoga Springs, who helped Mr. Grinaldo receive his medal.

BACKGROUND: Mr. Grinaldo, enlisted in Company C of the New York National Guard’s 105th Infantry Regiment in February 1940 and served in the Pacific with the 27th Infantry Division of the New York National Guard. He fought in the invasion of Makin Atoll, Enewetok, and Saipan, where he was wounded by machine gun fire during the Japanese Army’s last ditch Banzai Attack on July 7, 1944.

Mr. Grinaldo joined the New York National Guard in February 1940. After President Franklin Roosevelt federalized the National Guard in August of 1940, Mr. Grinaldo and the rest of C Company and the 105th Infantry Regiment were inducted into federal service with the 27th Division in October and reported for training at Fort McClellan, Alabama. Following the United State’s entry into World War II the division was deployed to Hawaii in early 1942 and served in the Pacific Theater. During the campaign for Saipan three members of the Regiment won the Medal of Honor during the final Japanese attack, including Troy natives Lt. Col .William O’Brien and Sgt. Thomas Baker, who were awarded the medal posthumously. The 105th Infantry Regiment was the only U.S.Army unit to have so many members received the medal for one action during the war.

Mr. Grinaldo finished his military career as a Staff Sergeant and Platoon Sergeant. His awards include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Asian-Pacific Campaign Medal, the American Defense Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Combat Infantry Badge.

The New York State Conspicuous Service Star was created by the State Legislature in order to recognize New York citizens who are or where members of the military since 1917 and served in units which received the federal Distinguished Unit Citation, Presidential Unit Citation, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Valorous Unit Award, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Coast Guard Unit Commendation, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award and the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Because the 27th Infantry Division received the Distinguished Unit Citation for it’s actions on Saipan, Mr. Grinaldo was entitled to this award and Mr. Clarke helped push through the paperwork required. Mr. Clarke, who helps run the Veterans Oral History Program for the state, met Mr. Grinaldo when he first taped an interview for the New York State Military Museum in 2002.

This is not the first medal Mr. Grinaldo has received since his service in the war. In 2004 he received a Bronze Star for Valor from Rep. Michael McNulty in recognition of his actions on July 7, 1944 when he aided other soldiers after he was injured.

Following his service in World War II, Mr. Grinaldo owned a shoe repair shop in Troy prior to retiring.

Members of the Press interested in covering the medal presentation must contact the Division of Military and Naval Affairs Public Affairs Office to obtain admittance to the DMNA Headquarters Building. Contact the PAO at (518)786-4581.