World War II - U.S. Army

Beauford Theodore Anderson

• Rank: Technical Sergeant (Highest Rank: First Lieutenant)
• Conflict/Era: World War II
• Unit/Command:
  Weapons Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 381st Infantry,
  96th Infantry Division
• Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
• Medal of Honor Action Date: April 13, 1945
• Medal of Honor Action Place: Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands

He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. When a powerfully conducted predawn Japanese counterattack struck his unit's flank, he ordered his men to take cover in an old tomb, and then, armed only with a carbine, faced the onslaught alone. After emptying one magazine at point-blank range into the screaming attackers, he seized an enemy mortar dud and threw it back among the charging Japs, killing several as it burst. Securing a box of mortar shells, he extracted the safety pins, banged the bases upon a rock to arm them and proceeded alternately to hurl shells and fire his piece among the fanatical foe, finally forcing them to withdraw. Despite the protests of his comrades, and bleeding profusely from a severe shrapnel wound, he made his way to his company commander to report the action. TSgt. Anderson's intrepid conduct in the face of overwhelming odds accounted for 25 enemy killed and several machine guns and knee mortars destroyed, thus singlehandedly removing a serious threat to the company's flank.