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LTC Juan Rodriguez
to remember
Anderson, Johannes Seigfried (MOH), 1ST SERG.
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Contact Info
Home Town Oak Park, Illinois
Last Address Oak Park, Illinois
Date of Passing Apr 15, 1950
Location of Interment Acacia Park Cemetery and Mausoleum - Chicago, Illinois
Wall/Plot Coordinates Plot: Poplar Section, Lot NE 25, Block 1, Grave 2
Johannes S. Anderson (July 30, 1887 - April 15, 1950) was a Finland born U.S. Army soldier during World War I, and a Medal of Honor recipient.
Little is known of Anderson's early life, other than that he was born in Finland, and entered the US Army in Chicago, Illinois. 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.
The Anderson family later donated his Medal of Honor, his Medal of Honor Certificate, and other memorabilia, including the flay that was placed on his coffin, to the Illinois State Military Museum in Springfield, Illinois.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: First Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 132d Infantry, 33d Division.
Place and date: At Consenvoye, France, October 8, 1918.
Entered service at: Chicago, Ill.
Birth: Finland.
General Orders No.16, War Department, 1919.
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.
This ribbon will display Multiple Award devices automatically based on the total number of awards listed
Details Behind Award
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.