Beauford T. Anderson

Beauford Theodore "Andy" Anderson (July 6, 1922 – November 7, 1996) was a United States Army soldier who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War II.

Early life Anderson was born on July 6, 1922, in Eagle, Wisconsin, and moved to nearby Soldiers Grove before joining the Army.

Military service

Enlisting in the United States Army in 1942, Anderson was sent to the South West Pacific theater in July 1944. He earned the Bronze Star while serving on the island of Leyte in the Philippines. During a Japanese counterattack at Kakazu Ridge on that day, he single-handedly held off a flanking force by alternately firing his carbine and throwing activated mortar shells. Although seriously wounded by shrapnel during the action, he refused medical evacuation until he had reported the situation to his commander. For these actions, Anderson was awarded the Medal of Honor the next year, on June 27, 1946.