Alumni Hall of Fame
Military Service to Country (2023)

Robert L. Griner was a member of the St. Marys Memorial High School Class of 1933. Prior to his military service, he was employed by Crescent - Puritan Laundry.

Robert L. Griner enlisted in the United States Army on October 15, 1940. During World War II, Griner served as a First Lieutenant in the 309th Infantry, 78th Division, Company F. The 78th Infantry Division was nicknamed “Lightning.” It was activated on August 15, 1942, and arrived in England in October 1944 to undergo further training.

The 78th Infantry Division landed in France in November 1944 and moved to Belgium and then to Rotgen, Germany, to prepare for combat. Griner’s unit relieved elements of the 1st Division in the line of Entenpfuhl in early December. They entered combat on December 13, 1944, in the Ardennes, one of the fiercest battles in World War II – the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest, also known as the Battle of the Bulge.

The 78th Infantry Division held the area against repeated German attacks. First Lieutenant Griner was killed in action in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest on December 15, 1944. He was 29 years old. He was awarded the nation’s third-highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal, for gallantry in action during that battle.

The Citation states, “When enemy mortar shells disorganized part of his company, First Lieutenant Griner, with the support of his machine gun sections, regrouped the scattered riflemen and led them out of the danger zone into a safer position, one near Witzereth, Germany. From this position his company jumped off for their next objective, Kesternich, Germany. When intense enemy machine gun fire stopped the advance of the company temporarily, First Lieutenant Griner and his machine gun sections again went forward to knock out the enemy placements. During this action the enemy guns were silenced, but Lieutenant Griner was mortally wounded. His courage and outstanding leadership are in accordance with the highest military traditions.”

In addition to the Silver Star, Griner was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the WW II Victory Medal, and the American Campaign Medal.

Mr. Griner’s body was returned to St. Marys, Ohio, where he was laid to rest at Elm Grove Cemetery in October 1948. At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Jean (Mallory) Griner.

When St. Marys established a Veterans of Foreign Wars (V.F.W.) post, it was named then, as it remains today, the Robert Lee Griner V.F.W. Post 9289, in honor of late First Lieutenant Robert L. Griner.

For his courage, bravery, valor, and gallantry in action, his sacrifice for his fellow soldiers and country for which he was honored with one of the nation’s highest military honors; for representing the best characteristics of an MHS graduate of patriotism, service, leadership, and honor; and for making the ultimate sacrifice for his country; the St. Marys Memorial High School Alumni Foundation inducts First Lieutenant Robert L. Griner, a member of our nation’s Greatest Generation, into the St. Marys Memorial High School Alumni Foundation’s Hall of Fame for Military Service to Country.