Name Johannes Anderson Rank First Sergeant | ||
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Died April 15, 1950, United States of America | ||
Johannes Seigfried Anderson (July 20, 1887 – April 15, 1950) was a Finland born U.S. Army soldier during World War I, and a Medal of Honor recipient.
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Biography
Little is known of Anderson's early life, other than that he was born in Finland July 20, 1887, and entered the US Army in Chicago, Illinois June 19, 1916. On October 8, 1918, while fighting near Consenvoye, France, while his unit was pinned down by heavy German machine gun fire, First Sergeant Anderson volunteered to leave his unit in an attempt at flanking the enemy machine gun emplacement. He made his advance under heavy fire, over open ground, reaching the emplacement and killing the machine gun crew. He silenced the machine gun, captured it, and returned with twenty three German prisoners of war.
He died April 15, 1950 and is buried in Acacia Park Cemetery and Mausoleum Chicago, Illinois. His grave can be found in Poplar Section, Lot NE 25, Block 1, Grave 2.
Medal of Honor citation
Citation:
While his company was being held up by intense artillery and machinegun fire, 1st Sgt. Anderson, without aid, voluntarily left the company and worked his way to the rear of the nest that was offering the most stubborn resistance. His advance was made through an open area and under constant hostile fire, but the mission was successfully accomplished, and he not only silenced the gun and captured it, but also brought back with him 23 prisoners.