World War II Honoree
Killed In Action
Joseph Alder Anderson
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Tallahassee, Florida
Honored By
William David Wilson, American Legion Post 68
He enlisted on 19 February 1941 at Camp Blanding FL. He participated in the invasion of Europe at Normandy with the 8th Infantry Regiment of the 4th Infantry Division. In September 1943, the 4th Infantry Division moved to Camp Gordon Johnston in Carrabelle Florida close to his home in North Florida. At Camp Gordon Johnston, the division received realistic amphibious training in preparation for the assault on fortress Europe. Chosen as the spearhead amphibious division of the D-Day landing on the Normandy coast of France, the men of the 4th Infantry Division stormed ashore at H-Hour (0630 hours) on a stretch of the French coast named - for this operation and forever after - Utah Beach. After their successful D-day landing, the men of the Ivy (4th) Division fought through the hedgerows of the Cotentin Peninsula en route to taking the critically important port of Cherbourg on June 25, 1944. The division was in continuous action during the period of June 6 to June 28 when the last resistance around Cherbourg was eliminated. With hardly a pause to catch their breath, the 4th continued to attack through the hedgerow country and, along with the 2nd Armored Division, spearheaded the breakthrough at St. Lo on July 25, 1944. He was KIA around St. Lo France on 24 July 44. His remains were returned to the USA and he was buried in the Aaron Cemetery in Wakulla County FL on 11 July 1948.