Beauford T. Anderson
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| Beauford Theodore Anderson | |
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| July 6, 1922 – November 7, 1996 (aged 74) | |
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| Place of birth | Eagle River, Wisconsin |
| Place of death | Salinas, California |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1942- |
| Rank | Technical Sergeant |
| Unit | 381st Infantry, 96th Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Beauford Theodore Anderson (1922-1996) a native of Wisconsin was a United States Army soldier who was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism on April 13, 1945 during the Second World War.
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[edit] Early life
Anderson was born on July 6, 1922 in Eagle River, Wisconsin.
[edit] Military service
Enlisting in the United States Army in 1942, he was assigned to the 96th Infantry Division and was shipped off to the Pacific Theater in July 1944. Anderson was awarded the Bronze Star for actions during the Invasion of the Philippines. He earned the Medal of Honor during the battle of Kakazu Ridge on Okinawa. He served in the Army Reserve after the war and ended his career with a medical retirement with the rank of Second Lieutenant.[1][2]
[edit] Medal of Honor citation
He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. When a powerfully conducted predawn Japanese counterattack struck his unit's flank, he ordered his men to take cover in an old tomb, and then, armed only with a carbine, faced the onslaught alone. After emptying 1 magazine at pointblank range into the screaming attackers, he seized an enemy mortar dud and threw it back among the charging Japs, killing several as it burst. Securing a box of mortar shells, he extracted the safety pins, banged the bases upon a rock to arm them and proceeded alternately to hurl shells and fire his piece among the fanatical foe, finally forcing them to withdraw. Despite the protests of his comrades, and bleeding profusely from a severe shrapnel wound, he made his way to his company commander to report the action. T/Sgt. Anderson's intrepid conduct in the face of overwhelming odds accounted for 25 enemy killed and several machineguns and knee mortars destroyed, thus single-handedly removing a serious threat to the company's flank.[3]
[edit] Post War years
On returning from the war, Anderson spent time in Beloit, Wisconsin and Mackinac Island, Michigan. Ultimately, he relocated to Seaside California where he served as mayor and city councilman and he was also a Monterey County Supervisor. He lived on a cattle ranch near Hunter-Liggett, California and spent the last years of his life in Salinas, California.[2]
[edit] Death
Beauford T. Anderson died on November 7, 1996. His wife of 50 years, Phyllis died on December 23, 1996. They are both buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- Beauford T. Anderson at Find A Grave Retrieved on 2008-02-15
