Bernard Lawrence Anderson Colonel, U.S. Air Force
During the period 9 April 1943 through 1 April 1945, then-Lieutenant Colonel Bernard Lawrence Anderson, U.S. Army Air Forces, distinguished himself while serving with Philippine Guerilla Forces, in ground actions against Japanese Forces. His courageous actions and extraordinary heroism during that time earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.
During the period above, Anderson was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and commanded a jungle army of 17,000 men. He figures they lost 2,200 of their men but inflicted losses as high as 38,000 of the enemy during the 3 1/2 years they were in the mountains. Much of that toll was inflicted in January 1945 while his army was making diversionary attacks south of Manila as the American invasion forces advanced to the north to recapture the Philippines.
Medals, Awards and Badges:
Distinguished Service Cross; Purple Heart; Army Good Conduct Medal; American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Army of Occupation Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Army Combat Infantryman Badge;
Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis):
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Bernard L. Anderson, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy on the ground from 9 April 1943 through 1 April 1945, in the Philippine islands. Lieutenant Colonel Anderson distinguished himself while serving with Philippine Guerilla Forces, in actions against enemy Japanese Forces. His unquestionable valor in close combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Forces-Pacific, General Orders No. 9 (1945)
Death and Burial:
Colonel Bernard Lawrence Anderson died on 26 December 1997 in Panama City, FL. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Reedsburg, Sauk County, WI, in Section A, Row 8.
Source: Military Hall of Honor