John B. Anderson (general)

John Benjamin Anderson (March 10, 1891 - September 1, 1976) was an American Major general, who commanded the XVI Corps during the World War II.

Early life
John Benjamin Anderson was born on March 10, 1891 as a son of Danish immigrants, Carl Christian Anderson and his wife Louisa Simonsen Anderson. Anderson attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and graduated on June 12, 1914. He was commissioned a Second lieutenant in the Field artillery on that date. Many of his classmates later became general officers during World War II as he did. For example: Carl A. Spaatz, Brehon B. Somervell, Frank W. Milburn, Harold R. Bull, Harry C. Ingles, Jens A. Doe, Robert W. Crawford, Orlando Ward or James L. Bradley.

Anderson was subsequently assigned to the 6th Field Artillery Regiment and transferred to El Paso, Texas with his unit, where he served on the Mexican border during the Pancho Villa Expedition.

During the World War I, Anderson was sent with his 6th Field Artillery to the France, where he served as a Regimental Adjutant in the Sommerville sector in October and November 1917. In the spring of 1918, Anderson served with the British Expeditionary Forces at Ypres, Belgium and subsequently he was appointed Adjutant of the 1st Artillery Brigade.

Later, Anderson was transferred back to his 6th Artillery Regiment, where he served as Battery and also Battalion Commander during the Battle of Cantigny.

After his return to the United States, Anderson was posted to the Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he was appointed instructor at the local Field Artillery School. He also attended the Advanced Course at this institution during the years 1922 and 1923.

Anderson attended the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in June 1925 and subsequently served as a battalion commander of the 24th Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Stotsenburg, Philippines until July 1927.

From September 1927 to June 1928 Anderson studied at Army War College in Washington, D.C. and then he was assigned to the personal division of the War Department General Staff. In this capacity, he was sent to the Geneva, Switzerland in 1929 as a one of the U.S. Army representatives to the conference regarding the treatment of prisoners of war.

He was transferred to the 13th Field Artillery Regiment stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and served there until September 1934. He was subsequently appointed the instructor at Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant colonel in this capacity.

In July 1938, Anderson was transferred to the staff of the Office of the Chief of Artillery in Washington, D.C., where he was appointed Chief of Personnel Section. In this capacity, Anderson was promoted to the rank of Brigadier general at the end of October 1941.

World War II
A month later, he was appointed Chief Artillery officer of the 2nd Infantry Division (Indianhead), which was stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas under the command of major general John C. H. Lee. On August 4, Anderson was promoted to the rank of Major General.

On September 15, 102nd Infantry Division was activated at Camp Maxey, Texas and major general Anderson has been appointed its commanding officer. Anderson participated in the training with his division and served with it until December 1943.

In December 1943, XVI Corps was activated at Fort Riley, Kansas and Anderson assumed command at the beginning of January 1944. XVI Corps participated in the winter training exercises at Watersmeet Township, Michigan and subsequently has been deployed in the European Theater of Operations.

Anderson commanded the XVI Corps as part of the Ninth U.S. Army in the Rhineland Campaign and also in Central Europe Campaign. XVI Corps under Anderson's command liberated the Dutch city of Roermond and participated in the combats in the Ruhr Pocket.

Anderson was decorated for his leadership with the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Bronze Star Medal by the government of the United States. Major general Anderson also received some foreign decorations (see below).

Postwar life
Anderson was succeeded in the command of XVI Corps by major general Thomas D. Finley in October 1945 and transferred back to the United States. He was retired from the army June 30, 1946 due to disability. Major general John B. Anderson died on September 1, 1976 at the age of 85 in Washington, D.C. and is buried together with his wife, Sue Palmer Anderson (1901 - 1991) at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.

Decorations
Here is Major general Anderson´s ribbon bar: