The Good Life – July-August 2020

LOCAL HERO | MIKE GRUCHALLA
Medical Badge Medal, because, “there were only 2,231
combat medic badges awarded in Vietnam.”
“On July 2nd, I was sent out to a firebase ... The night
of the 2nd, we got attacked. When the attack started the
enemy was playing Johnny Cash, Charlie Pride, and other
country songs over loudspeakers in the jungle. Over a
period of five or six hours, we threw everything at them
we had. We even lowered the guns and fired beehive
rounds (155 howitzer with seal darts), said Gruchalla.
“... I was dragging a wounded soldier into the command
bunker with the help of another guy. A satchel charge
went off in front of us, blew me into the tunnel, and as
soon as I got into that tunnel, they blew it. That sealed the
entrance.
“There were 38 of us in the bunker and we called in an
A-B52 strike on our position. When it was all done, 63
GI’s died. 38 of us got off. I was number 38.
“When we got dug out, it was my job to tag and bag the
63 guys. The first guy that I tagged and bagged was the
guy that was helping me with the wounded man. He had
44 / THE GOOD LIFE
the flag from that firebase inside his shirt. And, I have that
flag today,” said Gruchalla.
According to the American War Library, the Combat
Medical Badge Medal was established to recognize
medical personnel who experienced combat while
providing medical assistance to wounded personnel.
“That badge says I did my job. I think I did it well. I wish I
could have saved more, but there’s only so much you can
do,” said Gruchalla.
Gruchalla’s Medals
Gruchalla also received a Purple Heart Medal, a Bronze
Star Medal, and a Silver Star Medal, but the only
paperwork he has is for the Combat Medical Badge
Medal.
“When I came home from Vietnam, it took me 4 months
to get my things … They were going through and taking
things out ... because they made references to where I
was,” explained Gruchalla.
Gruchalla reasons that the paperwork was confiscated