M. O. GRUNDER, 2-Lieutenant, SAAF

Killed in Action, Korea, 1 September, 1951

2d Lieutenant Grunder led a flight of four with Major Wiggett as No. 2, to undertake a rail-cutting and reconnaissance of major supply routes. Throughout the flight they encountered heavy anti-aircraft fire.

After completing the road and rail reconnaissance portion of their mission, they headed south over Yongdong, where Grunder sighted something of interest on the ground and dove down for a closer look.. While investigating a wooded area he called to say that he thought that he had been hit, but still proceeded to rocket and strafe the position.

Major Wiggett lost sight of Grunder as he pulled up into the sun, but then reported seeing a canopy and papers floating down past him at 1500 ft., but there was no sign of a parachute.

The remainder of the flight conducted a search and found the crashed aircraft. After a 20 minute search of the ground in the vicinity of the crash, no sign of the pilot or of his parachute could be found.