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Grant Timmerman

Grant Frederick Timmerman was born February 19, 1919, in Americus, Kansas. Timmerman attended Emporia High School where he graduated in 1936. After graduation he enrolled at Kansas State Teacher’s College (now Emporia State University), but he only stayed for a year. In 1937 Timmerman moved to San Mateo, California, and in October 1937 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After serving in China for four years Timmerman was discharged and returned to California to work. In February 1944, only four months after being discharged, Timmerman reenlisted and was sent to Saipan in June 1944. He was wounded June 28, and on July 8, 1944, a Japanese grenade was launched at the opening of his tank; Timmerman jumped on it to save the lives of his fellow men. He died instantly and the other men in the tank were only slightly wounded. Timmerman received many awards for his heroic actions including the Medal of Honor and the Bronze Star posthumously in July 1945. Timmerman is buried at the National Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. 

Entry: Timmerman, Grant

Author: Kansas Historical Society

Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.

Date Created: July 2012

Date Modified: July 2016

The author of this article is solely responsible for its content.