In Memory Of

GRUNDER, MARTIN OLCKERS

Service Details
Age:
 23
Date of Birth:
 -0001-11-30
Service No:
 P1/40574
Rank:
 Second Lieutenant
Unit:
 2 Sqdn.
Regiment:
 South African Air Force
Date of Death:
 1951-09-01
Cause of Death:
 Killed in action, North American F-51 Mustang #342. 2Lt M.O. Grunder was leading a flight of four Mustangs to cut rail and other supply routes. After completing the primary sortie, they headed south, and over Youndong 2Lt Grunder spotted something on the ground, in a wooded area which he went to investigate. It was an anti-aircraft battery, and he proceeded to strafe this, followed by the rest of his flight. His No.2, Major Wiggett, lost sight of 2Lt Grunder in the sun as he pulled up from his strafing run. Shortly after this, Major Wiggett saw a Mustang canopy and some papers floating down at 1500 feet, but no sign of 2Lt Grunder's aircraft. A search revealed the aircraft wreckage on the ground, but no sign of 2Lt Grunder, and no parachute was found.
Commemoration
Grave Reference:
 Panel 13
Cemetery:
 UNITED NATIONS PUSAN MEMORIAL
Country:
 South Korea
Additional Information
Son of Mr. A. J. Grunder, of Durban. ref. 85 years of SAAF