Editing George Grunert (section)

==World War I and the inter-war years==
Grunert was sent to France as an observer with British forces in 1917 during [[World War I]]. During the American build up, he served as assistant chief of staff for I Corps and was awarded the [[Army Distinguished Service Medal]] for his work during the United States offensives of 1918. The citation for the medal reads:

{{Blockquote|The [[President of the United States]] of America, authorized by [[Act of Congress]], July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant Colonel (Cavalry) George Grunert, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. With remarkable skill, constantly displaying zeal and high military attainments, Lieutenant Colonel Grunert performed his exacting duties as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1, of the 1st Corps, during the successive operations at Chateau-Thierry, on the Ourcq and Vesle, and in the St. Mihiel and Argonne-Meuse offensives. By his untiring and painstaking efforts and unusual ability he performed the most difficult tasks, rendering services of great value to the Government.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/17613|title=Valor awards for George Grunert|publisher=}}</ref>}}

In 1919, Grunert attended the Army War College then at [[Washington Barracks]], now [[Fort Lesley J. McNair]], in Washington, D.C. He served with the [[1st Infantry Division (United States)|1st Infantry Division]] at Camp Dix, then to Washington, D.C., to serve in the office of the Army Chief of Staff. He returned to the field as a lieutenant colonel of the [[10th Cavalry Regiment (United States)|10th Cavalry Regiment]] at [[Fort Huachuca]] in Arizona in 1925.

After a second tour of duty in the office of the Army Chief of Staff, Grunert attended the [[Command and General Staff School]] at [[Fort Leavenworth]] in Kansas from 1930 to 1932. In 1933, he was the director of military intelligence and espionage division course at the [[United States Army War College|Army War College]] and in 1935, he became director of war plans division course.

In 1936, Grunert was posted to the Philippines as commanding officer of the [[26th Cavalry Regiment (United States)|26th Cavalry Regiment (Philippine Scouts)]]. He received his promotion to brigadier general in December 1936 in preparation for his command of the 23rd Brigade, a brigade of the [[Philippine Division (United States)|Philippine Division]] composed of [[Philippine Scouts]].

In November 1938 Grunert succeeded [[George C. Marshall]] in command of 5th Brigade at [[Vancouver Barracks]], Washington. Grunert was promoted to major general in 1939 and, in October, returned to the Philippines to command the Philippine Division. From May 1940 to November 1941 Grunert commanded the [[Philippine Department]], directing the United States Army supervision and control over the Philippine defense force until [[Douglas MacArthur]] came out of retirement to assume command in July 1941. MacArthur abolished the Philippine Department as a redundant command echelon in November 1941 and Grunert returned to the United States.