David E. Grange Jr.

David Ellsworth Grange Jr.
David Ellsworth Grange Jr.
	Army Distinguished Service Medal; Silver Star (3); Legion of Merit (2); Distinguished Flying Cross; Soldier's Medal; Bronze Star Medal (4); Purple Heart
Relations	David L. Grange (son)

David Ellsworth Grange Jr. (April 9, 1925 – September 11, 2022) was a lieutenant general in the United States Army.

Early life

Grange was born on April 9, 1925, in

82d Airborne Division to attend Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned a second lieutenant of Infantry in 1950, with an initial assignment with the 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment

in Korea.

Education

Grange was a graduate of the Strategic Intelligence Course, the Russian language course at the

Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College. He held a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Omaha and has attended the Advanced Management Course for Executives at the University of Pittsburgh

.

Assignments

Grange served in a variety of assignments, including: two tours in

506th Infantry (Vietnam) (2nd tour) (1967–68); Commander, DISCOM, 101st Airborne Division (Vietnam) (3rd tour) (1970–71); Commander, 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Vietnam) (3rd tour) (1970–71); director, Ranger Department, United States Army Infantry School; Assistant Division Commander (Support), 4th Infantry Division; Assistant Division Commander (Maneuver), 4th Infantry Division; Chief of Staff, I Corps

(ROK/US Group), Korea.

Toward the end of his career, Grange served in a variety of high level command assignments including Commanding General, United States Army Readiness and Mobilization Region VIII (1976–78); Commanding General,

Sixth United States Army (1981–84). Grange retired in June 1984, after 41 years of service.^[2]

Grange is among the few paratroopers in United States Army history to make three combat jumps—one during World War II (

Battle of Yongju and Operation Tomahawk). His other distinctions include three awards each of the Combat Infantryman Badge (for World War II, Korea and Vietnam) and the Silver Star

for heroism in combat.

Personal life and legacy

In 1982, the annual "David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition" was founded.^[3] His son, David L. Grange, also went on to serve as a United States Army general officer.

Grange died on September 11, 2022, at the age of 97.^[4]

Awards and decorations

Lieutenant General Grange's numerous decorations, medals and badges include:

Badge	Combat Infantryman Badge with 2 stars (3rd award)
Badge	Master Parachutist Badge with 3 combat jump stars
1st Row	Defense Distinguished Service Medal	Army Distinguished Service Medal		Silver Star with 2 bronze Oak leaf clusters		Legion of Merit with 1 bronze Oak leaf cluster
2nd Row	Distinguished Flying Cross	Soldier's Medal		Bronze Star with "V" device and 3 bronze Oak leaf clusters		Purple Heart
3rd Row	Award numeral 27	Joint Service Commendation Medal with "V" device		Army Commendation Medal with "V" device and 3 bronze Oak leaf clusters		Air Force Commendation Medal
4th Row	American Campaign Medal	Campaign star		World War II Victory Medal		Army of Occupation Medal
5th Row	Army Good Conduct Medal	National Defense Service Medal with 1 Service star		Campaign stars		Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
6th Row	Campaign stars	Army Service Ribbon		Army Overseas Service Ribbon		Legion of Honour (Officier)
7th Row	South Korean Order of Military Merit with gold star (4th Class)	Order of National Security Merit 2nd Class		Order of National Security Merit 3rd Class		Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm
8th Row	Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal 1st Class	United Nations Korea Medal		Vietnam Campaign Medal with "60-" clasp		Korean War Service Medal
Tab	Ranger Tab
Unit awards	Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation		Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with palm and frame		Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citation with palm and frame (1st Class)

General Grange was an inaugural member of the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame

Doughboy Award," and was named an honorary Sergeant Major of the Army by the Association of the United States Army in 2016.^[6]

References

^ "Honorary Colonel of the Regiment, October 1987". Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
^ "Honorary Colonel of the Regiment, October 1987". Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
^ Biography
^ "Launched Modern Ranger Training, Lt. Gen. David E. Grange Jr". Coffee or Die Magazine. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
^ "US Army Ranger Association - Ranger Hall of Fame". ranger.org. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
^ Legendary Ranger Is This Year's Honorary Sergeant Major Of The Army

[1] "Honorary Colonel of the Regiment, October 1987". Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2011-01-07.

[2] "Honorary Colonel of the Regiment, October 1987". Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2011-01-07.

[3] Biography

[4] "Launched Modern Ranger Training, Lt. Gen. David E. Grange Jr". Coffee or Die Magazine. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2022.

[5] "US Army Ranger Association - Ranger Hall of Fame". ranger.org. Retrieved 2021-01-07.

[6] Legendary Ranger Is This Year's Honorary Sergeant Major Of The Army

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