Robert E. Grover

Their Story

Robert E. Grover was born on January 4, 1925, in Riverton Iowa. He was the son of Cleo Oliver Grover and Susan Myers Grover. Grover married Lois Levi on January 20, 1948, in Bettendorf, Iowa. They had three daughters and one son.¹

Grover was drafted and entered the U.S. Army on July 8, 1943. After completing his basic training at Camp Dodge in Herrold, Iowa, he joined the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion and saw action overseas.² During the Battle of the Bulge, Grover was wounded on Christmas Eve and captured near Malempre, Belgium, on Christmas Day 1944. He was held by Germany in the Limburg, Germany, area for 98 days in Stalag X11A.³

The 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment was the first combat paratrooper unit of the U.S. Army formed during World War II.⁴ The unit saw action in the invasion of North Africa, and participated in two combat jumps in Italy and Southern France. The 509th, after landing, were frequently used as elite mountain infantry in the Italian mountains and French Alps.

The 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion in December 1944 was sent to the Ardennes area to slow the German winter offensive known as the Battle of the Bulge. During the period from December 22 to December 30, 1944, the Battalion held its position against strong German assaults and destroyed elements of the enemy south of Manhay allowing other Allied units to reorganize along the Grandmenil-Manhay axis.⁵ The 509th was instrumental in preventing the enemy from cutting the Grandmenil-Manhay Road while incurring heavy casualties.

Private Grover was awarded the Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars, the French Croix de Guerre with star, and the Belgian Croix de Guerre for his service during World War II.⁶ He was honorably discharged on November 6, 1945.

After leaving the service, Grover attended the University of Iowa. He was employed at Alcoa for 35 years as a supervisor in the receiving department. Grover was a member of several organizations: Alcoa Retirees, American Legion Buffalo Bill Post 9128, Disabled Veterans, NRA, and American Ex-Prisoners of War. For many years Grover was the treasurer of the 509^th and attended yearly reunions. He received his 50-year pin from the Masonic Lodge 37 in Davenport. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, and golf.⁷

Robert E. Grover died on May 2, 2007, in Davenport, Iowa. He was survived by his wife Lois; daughters Karen, Suzanne, and Allison; and five grandchildren. Grover was preceded in death by his son, Kevin Grover, on February 4, 2004.⁸