World War II Honoree

Joseph A. Anderson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Needham, Massachusetts

Honored By

Maryann M. Scheufele

Relationship

Proud Niece

AS PRIVATE FIRST CLASS, SERVED WITH COMPANY A OF THE AMERICAL DIVISION REINFORCED. PARTICIPATED IN COMBAT AT GUADALCANAL; AUGUST 7 TO AUGUST 9, 1942 UNDER MAJOR GENERAL ALEXANDER VANDEGRIFT. AWARDED THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR THE EXECUTION OF LAND ASSAULTS AGAINST JAPANESE POSTS AT GUADALCANAL. THE BASE AND AIRFIELD WERE QUICKLY CAPTURED, GIVING THE ADVANTAGE TO THE U.S. IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC. THE DIVISION CONTINUED TO HOLD POSITION THERE UNTIL DECEMBER 9, 1942. LATER ON, HE WAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF STAFF SERGEANT, QUARTERMASTER CORPS. HE WAS AWARDED A SECOND PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION ON JULY 13, 1945 FOR SERVICE OF MILITARY OPERATIONS AT CEBU, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS; MARCH 26 TO MAY 10, 1945. LANDED ON THE BEACH AT CEBU WITH THE FIRST WAVE OF AMERICAN TROOPS. THE INITIALLY EQUIPPED TRUCKS WERE READY TO UNLOAD TROOPS AND SUPPLIES DESPITE HEAVY ENEMY SHELLING. AS PLATOON SERGEANT OF 3RD TRUCK PLATOON, 125TH QUARTERMASTER COMPANY, HE IS HONORED FOR HIS SUCCESSFUL SUPERVISION OF THE CONTINUAL FLOW OF SUPPLIES TO THOSE FRONT LINE TROOPS AND AS COMPANY DISPATCHER HAULING TROOPS AND SUPPLIES, WHICH PROVIDED SUPPORT TO THE FRONT LINE TROOPS. HE DEMONSTRATED BRAVERY BEYOND MEASURE. HE WAS INSPIRED BY HIS LOVE AND RESPECT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THE DETERMINATION HE PORTRAYED EXEMPLIFIED THE CHARACTER OF THE ORDER OF MAN HE WAS.