World War II Honoree

Beauford T. Anderson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin

Honored By

Hans Kaufmann

WITHOUT REGARD FOR HIS OWN SAFETY, WHEN OUR POSITION ON KAKAZU RIDGE ON OKINAWA, HE WAS ATTACKED BY A COMPANY OF JAPANESE SOLDIERS CARRYING SATCHEL CHARGES TO DEMOLISH THE BARRELS OF OUR ARTILLERY AT 3:00 AM ON APRIL 13, 1945. HE SINGLE HANDEDLY ATTACKED THEM BY THROWING OUR HAND GRENADES AND THEIRS AT THEM. WHEN HE RAN OUT OF AMMUNITION HE ASKED ME FOR OUR 60MM MORTAR SHELLS AND PROCEEDED TO HURL THEM BY HAND INTO THEIR RANKS. HE COMPLETELY STOPPED THIS ATTACK AND WE FOUND 26 DEAD JAPANESE IN FRONT OF HIM WHEN DAYLIGHT CAME. PRESIDENT TRUMAN PERSONALLY PLACED THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR AROUND HIS NECK, NEXT TO THE BRONZE STAR AND PURPLE HEART.