Rudyard Kipling “Rudy” Grimes was born on September 29, 1917, in Abilene, Texas. He was the son of James Frank Grimes and Mary Ellen Futrell Grimes. He was married to Azile Wilma Coffey Bonneau. He graduated from Abilene High School in 1934 and attended Texas A&M College for a year before entering the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in July 1935. Graduating in 1939, he received his commission as a second lieutenant and, though he aspired to join the Air Corps, was assigned to the Infantry due to poor eyesight. And soon after, he departed for his first post in the Philippines. Stationed at Fort William McKinley, he served with the 57th Infantry Regiment (Philippine Scouts), initially as a junior officer in Company A and later commanding Company M. Promoted steadily—first lieutenant in 1940 and captain in December 1941, he also acted as executive officer of the 3rd Battalion during the Japanese invasion.

Under Colonel George S. Clarke, the 3rd Battalion withstood eleven major Japanese assaults on Bataan, suffering severe casualties. Grimes distinguished himself for his leadership, endurance, and calm under fire, often commanding multiple companies and, at times, the entire battalion. After the fall of the Philippines, he survived the infamous Bataan Death March, but died of Myocarditis while interred at the Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Camp on October 16, 1942. He is now buried in the Elmwood Memorial Park, Abilene, Taylor County, Texas, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, alumni.westpointaog.org