Arthur T. Andrew

Private

United States Army

Arthur T. Andrew, son of Tom and Helen Jenkins Andrew, graduated from Burlington (Iowa) High School in 1935.  After graduation, he worked at the Iowa Ordnance Plant in Middletown, Iowa. 

He entered the United States Army on 1 December 1943, and received 17 weeks of training at Camp Wheeler, Georgia.  Arthur returned home to visit his wife, Winona, and daughter, Donna Rae, in April 1944 before reporting at Fort Meade, Maryland and his eventually arrival in the European Theater of Operations on 1 May 1944.  He was assigned to the 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division.  According to a War Department telegram that Winona received, Arthur was Killed-In-Action in Holland on 13 September 1944.

Arthur was survived by his parents; his wife and daughter; and three brothers, Richard of West Burlington, Iowa, Raymond of Burlington, and Jack, serving in the United States Army Air Force in France.

Private Arthur T. Andrew, United States Army, is buried in Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery in Henri-Chapelle, Belgium.  On 12 November 1944, a memorial service was held for Arthur at the West Hill Methodist Church in Burlington.  The service was conducted by Rev. O. L. Welshons, pastor of the Church of the Open bible, and Rev. E. S. Blomquist, pastor of West Hill Methodist Church.  Andrew was a member of West Hill Methodist Church and active in the Church of the Open Bible.

Among his awards and decorations is the Silver Star (posthumously) and Purple Heart.

Sixteen months after Andrew’s death, a young man and his father came to visit Winona.  The young man identified himself as Andrew’s war buddy.  He and Andrew made an agreement that if either of them were killed, that the other would go and visit the others family.  He came with his father, to make good on that promise.  During that meeting, he related the circumstances surrounding Andrew’s death.  They were on a tank giving chase, when the friend was standing up.  Andrew realized that his buddy was in the line of fire, jumped up, and pulled his buddy to safety.  In the process of doing that, Andrew took the bullet.  The father expressed his gratefulness for this act of heroism since that was his only son.

Source of information:

1.  The Burlington Hawk-Eye Gazette, 6 October 1944, page 1.

2.  American Battle Monuments Commission web site; http://www.abmc.gov/

3.   The Burlington Hawk-Eye Gazette, 11 November 1944, page 2.

5.  Letter from Donna Danielson on 21 February 2005.  Donna is Andrew’s daughter.

CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF

SILVER STAR MEDAL  (POSTHUMOUS)

TO

ARTHUR T. ANDREW

Private Arthur T. Andrew is awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action on Sept. 13, 1944, in Holland.  Private Andrew serving as a member of an infantry task force which succeeded in making a rapid advance into enemy territory.  When heavy resistance was encountered a vigorous fire fight ensued with the result that a large force of hostile troops was put to flight in disorder.  In an effort to take full advantage of the victory, Private Andrew and a few of his fellow soldiers climbed onto accompanying tanks and took up the chase.  When the enemy was overtaken, hand to hand fighting ensued, many of the hostile troops were killed, and a total of 90 prisoners of war was captured.  In addition, the capture of a large city was made possible for the disorganized enemy was unable to plan any defense so rapid was the course of action.  The aggressive initiative, fortitude, and high degree of esprit exhibited by Private Andrew reflect great credit on himself and are keeping with the highest traditions of the armed forces.

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