World War II Honoree

Noren V. Anderson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Honored By

Herbert Miles

Relationship

Son-in-law

SERVED IN U.S. ARMY JANUARY 2, 1942 TO MAY 3, 1948. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO 11TH ENGINEER BATTALION, U.S. ARMY FORCES IN THE FAR EAST ENGINEERS IN THE PHILIPPINES. HE WAS AWARDED THE SILVER STAR FOR LEADING AN ENGINEER DEMOLITION CREW IN DESTROYING A BRIDGE OVER PANTINGAN RIVER APRIL 7-8, 1942, ENABLING THE 11TH DIVISION TO WITHDRAW WITHOUT BEING FLANKED, AND LATER GATHERED UP REMNANTS OF TROOPS FROM 41ST DIVISION TO JOIN 11TH DIVISION. CAPTURED BY THE JAPANESE, HE WAS CONFINED IN ZENTSUJI POW CAMP ON HONSHU. DURING CONFINEMENT, HE MANAGED TO GET HIS NAME ON POW LISTS BROADCAST BY THE JAPANESE AND PICKED UP BY U.S. HAM RADIO OPERATORS, WHO SENT HIS MOTHER POSTCARDS OF HIS STATUS. ON RELEASE FROM PRISONER STATUS, HE WAS AWARDED THE SILVER STAR ON DECEMBER 19, 1945 BY BRIGADIER GENERAL WILLIAM E. BROUGHER. HE REQUIRED ARMY MEDICAL CARE BEFORE DISCHARGE IN 1948. AWARDED SOLOMON ISLANDS 1992 50TH ANNIVERSARY DECORATION IN 2002, ONE OF THE FEW PRISONERS OF WAR OF THE PHILIPPINES TO BE SO HONORED.