World War II Honoree

Wyllys Robert Anderson

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Fort Morgan, Colorado

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class. Inducted into the United States Navy August 8, 1942 at Denver, Colorado, with recruit training at the U.S. Naval Training Station San Diego, California. Upon his graduation from boot camp, he was transferred to Camp Elliott Marine Corps Base in San Diego for medical schooling. Served as a Combat Medic with the Second Marine Division, assigned to Headquarters Company, Third Battalion and Second Marine Regiment. His division participated in the amphibious assault against the Imperial Japanese forces in the Battle of Tarawa Location: Central Pacific Theater of Operations. The combat engagement took place on the Island of Betio, located on the Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands Code Name: Operation Galvanic. Killed in action Saturday, November 20, 1943 on the first day of the invasion. At the conclusion of the Battle, his Brothers-in-Arms buried him in the Lone Palm cemetery on Betio. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the family of this Seaman requested that he be buried in the Honolulu National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific ‘Punchbowl’ Hawaii, with interment January 28, 1949. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.