Eric C. Anderson

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Eric C. Anderson, Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 143d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 22 November 1944, in France. On that date, Company G was given the mission of attacking a heavily fortified enemy position on the high ground east of St. Leonard, France. When the advance was held up by enemy machine gun fire, Captain Anderson, the commanding officer, ran across a seventy-five yard open space and, although the machine gun was firing at him, put it out of action with his submachine gun, killing two of the crew and capturing another. After advancing further, the company was subjected to four strong enemy attacks. Running from position to position, moving his men to where their fire was most effective, giving them words of encouragement, and directing accurate artillery fire by radio, Captain Anderson succeeded in repulsing all four attacks with severe loss to the enemy. His magnificent courage and aggressive leadership enabled his company to hold its ground and set up a strong-defensive position against a vastly superior enemy force. Captain Anderson’s intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 36th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.