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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

First Sergeant · U.S. Army

Johannes Seigfried Anderson

First Sergeant Johannes Seigfried Anderson, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on October 8, 1918 in Consenvoye, France during World War I.

World War I October 8, 1918Born in Finland

First Sergeant Johannes Seigfried Anderson was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 8, 1918 in Consenvoye, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with Company B, 132d Infantry, 33d Division. Anderson was 31 years old.

12 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on February 9, 1919. Chaumont, France, presented by Gen. John J. Pershing.

Anderson was born on July 20, 1887 in Bjoroky, Finland — one of 6 recipients born in Finland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Anderson died on April 3, 1950 in Chicago, Illinois, at the age of 62. He is buried at Acacia Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois. His medal is held by Illinois State Military Museum, Springfield, IL.

Anderson is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 210 credited to Illinois.

Official Medal of Honor citation

While his company was being held up by intense artillery and machine-gun 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.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War I.

Places

  • Born: Grand Duchy of Finland — map
  • Died: Chicago — map
  • Buried: Acacia Park Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Illinois →

Timeline

  1. July 20, 1887
    Born in Bjoroky, Finland
  2. October 8, 1918
    Act of valor — Consenvoye, France
    Age 31. Company B, 132d Infantry, 33d Division
  3. February 9, 1919
    Medal of Honor presented
    Chaumont, France, presented by Gen. John J. Pershing
  4. April 3, 1950
    Died in Chicago, Illinois
    Age 62.
  5. Resting place
    Acacia Cemetery
    Chicago, Illinois

Biography

Johannes Seigfried Anderson (July 20, 1887 – April 15, 1950) was a Finnish-born U.S. Army soldier during World War I, and a Medal of Honor recipient.

From the Wikipedia article “Johannes S. Anderson”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

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Also honored for actions on October 8, 1918

Henry G. Costin Private · Army World War I · 1918 ✦ James C. Dozier First Lieutenant · Army World War I · 1918 GF Gary Evans Foster Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 EG Earl D. Gregory Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 TH Thomas Lee Hall Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 ✦ JK James Ernest Karnes Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 PR Patrick J. Regan Second Lieutenant · Army World War I · 1918 SS Samuel Major Sampler Corporal · Army World War I · 1918 Clayton Kirk Slack Private · Army World War I · 1918 Harold Leo Turner Corporal · Army World War I · 1918 CW Calvin John Ward Private · Army World War I · 1918 Alvin Cullium York Corporal · Army World War I · 1918

More World War I recipients from Illinois

Robert Guy Robinson Gunnery Sergeant · Marine Corps World War I · 1918 Edouard Victor michel Izac Lieutenant · Navy World War I · 1918 BL Berger Holton Loman Private · Army World War I · 1918 Harold Ernest Goettler First Lieutenant · Air Force World War I · 1918 ✦ SM Sterling Lewis Morelock Private · Army World War I · 1918 RH Ralyn M. Hill Corporal · Army World War I · 1918
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.