World War II Honoree

Samuel Edgar Anderson

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

Relationship

Friend

AFTER WORKING IN A SHIPYARD SUPPORTING THE WAR EFFORT AFTER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION IN 1941, ENLISTED IN THE NAVY SEABEES IN OCTOBER 1943. SUBSEQUENTLY TRANSFERRED TO THE NAVY'S AMPHIBIOUS FORCES AS A SHIP FITTER AND TRAINED BY THE MARINES FOR ASSAULT LANDINGS. AFTER 30 DAYS AT SEA EN ROUTE FROM SAN FRANCISCO, LANDED ON THE BEACH OF OKINAWA BEFORE THE BATTLE WAS WON IN JULY 1945. THEREAFTER ENGAGED IN THE SALVAGE AND REPAIR OF DAMAGED SHIPS AND OTHER SHIP MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES FOR THE DURATION OF THE WAR. DEPARTED OKINAWA ON DECEMBER 23, 1945 AND WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED STATESIDE ON JANUARY 9, 1946 AS A PETTY OFFICER 2ND CLASS. EARNED THE COMBAT ACTION RIBBON (RETROACTIVELY AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATION IN 1999), AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.