Did Anyone Really 'Dive' On A Hand Grenade?

[Surreal]

Is there any documentation of a soldier diving on a live enemy hand grenade in order to save the lives of others, or is this just another urban legend?

If it’s true, under what circumstances was this act done? Was the ‘hero’ suicidal?? Did the grenade fall into a crowded bunker where he knew he would die regardless, so he dove on top of it to protect others???

Thanks.

[welby]

Just one example:

ANDERSON, RICHARD BEATTY

There’s more on this site, search around. Some of the stories are pretty amazing.

[fishcrawford]

Thanks for that Welby.

[Mangetout]

Just scrolling down that linked page, there were a number of other similar accounts.

[robby]

This soldier posthumously received the Medal of Honor:

http://www.rattler-firebird.org/fernandez.php

…As they did, an enemy grenade landed in the midst of the group, although some men did not see it. Realizing there was no time for the wounded sergeant or the other men to protect themselves from the grenade blast, Sp4c. Fernandez vaulted over the wounded sergeant and threw himself on the grenade as it exploded, saving the lives of his 4 comrades at the sacrifice of his life…

Another posthumous MOH recipient:

http://members.tripod.com/~msg_fisher/moh.html

Sergeant Stout was in a bunker with members of a searchlight crew when the position came under heavy enemy mortar fire and ground attack. When the intensity of the mortar attack subsided, an enemy grenade was thrown into the bunker. Displaying great courage, Sergeant Stout ran to the grenade, picked it up, and started out of the bunker. As he reached the door, the grenade exploded. By holding the grenade close to his body and shielding its blast, he protected his fellow soldiers in the bunker from further injury or death.

This soldier receive the Medal of Honor, and survived:

http://skyways.lib.ks.us/kansas/museums/kng/mohballard.html

…An enemy hand grenade landed amongst the wounded. Ballard picked it up and threw it back. After a few minutes under direct fire, another grenade was thrown at his position. This time he didn’t have enough time to pick it up, so Ballard selflessly threw his body onto the grenade in order to protect his patients. After what seemed like an eternity, and no explosion, Ballard reached underneath him to grasp the grenade, rolled over, and in the same motion threw the grenade away. A split second later, witnesses say, the grenade exploded in midair, but out of harms way…

[spifflog]

I have read several of these stories. Here is another one:

"For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving in operations against enemy aggressor forces. When his company was subjected to heavy artillery and mortar barrages, followed by a determined assault during the hours of darkness by an enemy force estimated at battalion strength, HC3c. Benfold resolutely moved from position to position in the face of intense hostile fire, treating the wounded and lending words of encouragement. Leaving the protection of his sheltered position to treat the wounded when the platoon area in which he was working was attacked from both the front and rear, he moved forward to an exposed ridge line where he observed 2 marines in a large crater. As he approached the 2 men to determine their condition, an enemy soldier threw 2 grenades into the crater while 2 other enemy charged the position.

Picking up a grenade in each hand, HC3c. Benfold leaped out of the crater and hurled himself against the on-rushing hostile soldiers, pushing the grenades against their chests and killing both the attackers.

Mortally wounded while carrying out this heroic act, HC3c. Benfold, by his great personal valor and resolute spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of almost certain death, was directly responsible for saving the lives of his 2 comrades. His exceptional courage reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for others."

[ChalkPit]

Some time ago, when doing some research, I found a great site listing every recipient of the CMoH and was amazed at just how common diving on a hand grenade has been.

There are several cases of this happening in WWII but in the Vietnam War in particular, incidents of this type were even more common.