Rudolph Henry Grossi was born March 9, 1923 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the Army on August 31, 1942 in Pittsburgh. He was killed at the Wendling Aerodrome in England following a mission to Germany. His B24 had sustained servere damage at the target, and made it within sight of the field when it crashed and burned with the loss of all personnel on the plane.
The internet research found states "Fryman's was the first of 4 crews chosen to fly with the 44th BG to take off at 0735. Despite extreme battle damage, the plane made it back to Welding and was in a landing pattern circuit over the field. At 1522, the plane suddenly exploded 2 miles south of the base, killing the entire crew."
Grossi was initially buried in Plot D, Row 8, Grave 8 in the United States Military Cemetery in Cambridge, England. His remains were re-interred in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Pennslylvania in 1948.
Sgt. Grossi's group includes his unofficially engraved slot brooch Purple Heart, numbered 197181, with its presentation box, full and sweetheart size gunners wings, collar brass, tie clasp with inititials, European Theatre ribbon, Eighth Air Force patch, newspaper clippings, personal letters, original KIA telegram and follow-up letter, original certificates from his schools in Pittsburgh, original Purple Heart Certificate, Citation of Honor from the Air Force, and Roosevelt accolade. Also included are 6 original pages of Grossi.s flight records while in traning in Texas and Kansas. Internet research is also included that includes a photo of Grossi's 10 man crew piloted by 2nd Lt Bernard Fryman, and a photo of his crashed plane "Ready Willing and Able", A/C No. 41-29427.
Another interesting part of the group is a large photo of Grossi as a singer. The picture is titled "Allen Ross, Featured Vocalist with Pee Wee Lewis and His Orchestra".
This group has been traded to another collector.
