Memorial

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Pfc Donald E. Grills attended Hammond High School and graduated in the class of 1941. He was on the wrestling team and served as the Secretary of the Science and Radio Club. After high school he studied at Indiana University for a year and worked for Republic Steel.
He volunteered for the Army of the United States at Fort Wayne, Indiana on 21 July 1942.

He served in Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, Holland and Belgium.

He was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Hiley Grill. His mother had died on 31 May 1923, shortly after he was born. His parents received his death message from the war department. They just couldn't believe it. They said little to anybody. The family wrote to Lt John Otto of Donald's regiment in France. They didn't know Otto. It was just a name that had appeared on Don's censored letters from overseas. A letter came back from Otto and explained exactly how Donald came to his death in France. It happened Dec. 31, Donald and six others, including Lt Otto were out on combat patrol. The Germans spotted them, then fire guns sputtered. Otto returned to the American lines, dragging the dead body of Donald. A bullet had pierced his skull.