World War II Honoree

Jesse Leon Anderson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Maryville, Tennessee

Honored By

Jo Ann Bell

Relationship

Daughter

DRAFTED DECEMBER 10, 1942. AFTER TRAINING IN FORT OGLETHORPE, GEORGIA; NORTH CAMP POLK, LOUISIANA; CAMP COX COMB, CALIFORNIA AND THEN FORT BENNING, GEORGIA. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE TANK DIVISION AT SAND HILL AREA, 7TH ARMORED DIVISION. HE LEFT THE U.S. ON D-DAY, RIDING THE QUEEN MARY TO GLASGOW, SCOTLAND, FROM THERE HE WENT TO SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND, CROSSING THE ENGLISH CHANNEL. HIS LANDING CRAFT PUT THEM ASHORE ON OMAHA BEACH IN FRANCE. HIS COMPANY HAD TO WORK THEIR WAY BEHIND ENEMY LINES TO HELP THEIR FELLOW SOLDIERS WHO WERE PINNED DOWN ON THE BEACH. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE HALF-TRACKS THAT SUPPORTED THE TANKS. FROM THERE HE ASSISTED THE BRITISH IN HOLLAND. THEREAFTER, HE CAME BACK THROUGH FRANCE, THEN INTO GERMANY. WHEN THE WAR WAS OVER HE WAS AT THE BALTIC SEA ABOUT 40 MILES NORTH OF BERLIN. HE SERVED AS A RIFLEMAN AND A RADIO OPERATOR AND ESCORTED OFFICERS TO THEIR VARIOUS LOCATIONS WHEN NEEDED. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 38TH ARMORED INFANTRY BATTALION PLATOON, COMPANY C. HIS RANK NUMBER WAS 34499277 AS A PRIVATE 1ST CLASS SOLDIER.