Spc. Grandstaff, 24, dies in auto accident in Germany

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Published: Thursday, 24 April 2014 02:56

Updated

Spc. Ryan P. Grandstaff, 24, Winamac, who died in a single-car accident Wednesday morning (April 23), has been posthumously promoted from Private First Class to Specialist, and received Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal for his service, according to a statement from the U.S. Army 12th Combat Aviation Brigade.

Grandstaff has been stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army. He was a 2009 graduate of Winamac Community High School where he was a member of the football and track teams. He also attended Vincennes University.

He was born Nov. 14, 1989. His parents are Paul Grandstaff of Winamac and Tammy Huskins of Rochester. He is also survived by brothers Sean and Kyle.

A close family member reports that Grandstaff was enroute to report to an early appointment at another base two hours away early Wednesday when his car left the roadway and hit a tree.

Grandstaff was also about to receive a promotion, the family source said. On a two-year tour of duty in Germany, he was to complete his assignment there in October.

Grandstaff completed basic training at Fort Benning, Ga. in December 2012. He was a crew chief with C Co., 5th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment. 

The Pulaski County Sheriff's Office issued a statement extending "its deepest sympathies to Deputy Paul Grandstaff and the entire Grandstaff family on the passing of his son, Ryan."

The family has been told Grandstaff's body will be returned to Indianapolis Tuesday night (April 29).

A complete obituary appears on the PulaskiPost.com obituary pages (here).

News release form 12th Combat Aviation Brigade pulblic affairs office:

ANSBACH, Germany - A 12th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) soldier died in an single-car accident early Wednesday morning on the road between Katterbach Army Airfield and Sachsen bei Ansbach.

Spc. Ryan P. Grandstaff, 24, from Winamac, Indiana departed Katterbach Army Airfield just before 5 a.m. and was driving to an appointment at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center when his vehicle left the road and struck a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene by German emergency medical responders. The accident is currently under investigation by the 12th CAB.

Grandstaff was a single soldier assigned as a crew chief with C Co., 5th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment and based here. He is survived by his father Paul D. Grandstaff, mother Tammy Huskins, and two brothers Sean and Kyle Grandstaff.