Beauford T. “Andy” Anderson enlisted in the US Army in 1942 in Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin. He was a technical sergeant (T/Sgt) in the Army's 381st Infantry of the 96th Infantry Division. By 1944, he had been sent to the South Pacific Theater and served in combat during several battles including the Battle of Leyte Island in the Philippines and the Battle of Okinawa in Japan. Anderson earned the Bronze Star while on Leyte Island. He received the Medal of Honor due to his actions on Okinawa on April 13, 1945. T/Sgt Anderson displayed an admirable amount of courage above and beyond what was expected of a soldier. Armed only with a carbine (short rifle), Anderson tried to limit the impact of an unexpected Japanese predawn counterattack during the Battle of Okinawa. Despite having some of his men available for assistance, Anderson allowed them to take cover in a tomb while he went out in the field alone. Anderson unloaded one magazine into his charging attackers before switching to mortars. Using mortar shells, he self-primed them (removed pins and hit bases on a rock to arm them), and then lobbed them into oncoming enemy forces, causing the Japanese to withdraw. Though Anderson was injured by shrapnel, he insisted on personally reporting the incident to his company commander. In total, Anderson eliminated 25 enemy soldiers, and destroyed several machine guns and knee mortars. With these actions, Anderson single-handedly removed a threat to the company's flank.
Other than the Bronze Star from Leyte Island and the Medal of Honor, Anderson also received the Purple Heart, and the WWII Victory Medal for his roles in the war.
After WWII, he served in the US Army Reserves and eventually gained a commission as a Second Lieutenant. He left the military in September 1952.
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