Silver Star Awarded on D-Day, Omaha Beach, June 6th 1944

[kanemono]

Eugene Robinson Anderson was born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania on January 1, 1911. Anderson was working as a truck driver and mechanic when he enlisted in Battery “D” 109th Field Artillery Pennsylvania National Guard on March 18, 1929. Anderson was promoted to Sergeant in 1936 and to 2nd Lieutenant in 1939. He was prompted to 1st Lieutenant when the 28th Division was inducted into Federal Service on February 17, 1941. Anderson was promoted to Captain and was the commanding officer of the 109th Field Artillery until he was transferred to the 107th Field Artillery Battalion, on March 25, 1943. Anderson’s next assignment was to the 294th Joint Assault Signal Company, 5th Engineer Special Brigade, 1st Division, where he became a member of the Naval Shore Fire Control Party. The job of the Naval Shore Fire Control Party was to direct the control of naval gunfire which would fall very close to positions occupied by allied forces. The personnel of each shore fire control party consisted of one Army Officer, one Naval Officer, and twelve enlisted men. Since the fire control party had to closely observe both the target and the fall of shot from the naval vessel Captain Anderson’s fire control party were some of the first troops to land on Omaha Beach in support of 1st Division troops on D-Day. Captain Anderson was awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action in Normandy, France, 6 June, 1944.

 

EUGENE R. ANDERSON, 0365876, CAPTAIN, 294th Joint Assault Signal Company. For gallantry in action in the vicinity of Colleville-Sur-Mar, Normandy, France, 6 June 1944. Despite intense hostile fire, Captain Anderson skillfully maneuvered his section to better observe naval fire. On his own initiative, he proceeded beyond advanced infantry positions to direct artillery fire and neutralized machine guns impeding a battalions advance. Captain Anderson’s courageous leadership materially aided in the success of the invasion. Residence at appointment: Forty Fort, Pennsylvania.

 

Captain Anderson continued fighting through Northern France into the Rhineland when he was assigned to the Naval Gunfire School, Coronado, California. He was then sent to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to train for the invasion of Japan. He was separated from active service at Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, on February 4, 1946. Captain Anderson continued to serve in the Army Reserves until he retired in 1962. After the war Anderson attended Wilkes College, Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, under the GI Bill and graduated with a degree in education in 1949. He then attended graduate school at Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Eugene R. Anderson taught High School Science in the Wilkes Barre area until he retired. Eugene Robinson Anderson died in Forty Fort, Pennsylvania, on November 27, 2000. He is buried in Easton Heights Cemetery, Easton, Pennsylvania.

[Worldwar_Collector]

Amazing! Love the date engraving on the medal

 

-Jared

[KASTAUFFER]

I love WWII private hand engraving! nice group!

 

Kurt