North Fork soldier shot in Afghanistan; recovering in Maryland
A Marine from Aquebogue was wounded in Afghanistan June 26 and is recovering at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland, where family members have said he is expected to make a full recovery.
Corporal Alfred Grossklaus Jr., 24, a 2005 Riverhead High School graduate, was shot in the back during an ambush by insurgents in the Helmand provice in Afghanistan.
The bullet grazed his spine and went through his colon, his mother-in-law, D. Dellaquilla of Mattituck said. He can walk but doctors want him to use a brace initially, she said.
The doctors have decided not to remove the bullet, which is lodged in his hip and fragmented, Frank Dellaquilla, his father-in-law, said.
Ms. Dellaquilla said she and her husband visited Corporal Grossklaus, who’s known as A.J., in the hospital last week.
“He’s doing as well as can be expected,” she said.
Corporal Glassclaus was recently was promoted to that rank and married their daughter Francesca in Oct 11, 2010. He’s been in the Marines for four and half years and his unit is based in 29 Palms, Ca.
Francesca and A.J.’s mother, Noreen, have remained by his side at Bethesda, Ms. Dellaquilla said.
During his recovery in the hospital, Corporal Grossklaus has been very concerned about his fellow Marines back in Afghanistan, Ms. Dellaquilla said. Two other Marines who were at his wedding were recently wounded in action, as well, she said.
“He should be able to make a full recovery,” Ms. Dellaquilla said. He is expected to be released in a few weeks, she said, and he will receive a Purple Heart.
