Thomas Garfield Anderson

These awards are based on the information below and per applicable DoD Directives and Awards Manuals:
Purple Heart Medal Awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Forces, after April 5, 1917, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may hereafter die of wounds received in action against an enemy of the United States.
American Campaign Service Medal Awarded to Service members serving outside the Continental United States in the American Theater for at least 30 days between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946, or who served during that period for an aggregate period of 1 year in the Continental United States.
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal Awarded for military service with the Asiatic-Pacific Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.
World War II Victory Medal Awarded for military service between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946, both dates inclusive.
 Note that this list may not include all awarded medals, devices, unit citations or qualification badges.

Documents, Forms and Resources Found or Not Found:
Yes American Battle Monuments Commission website listing, TEC5 Anderson, on this page
Yes Enlistment Records National Archives Database, on this page
No  Eyewitness Statement or Report
Yes Memorial Marker Photo, Find A Grave
No Official Regiment or Division After Action Report
No  Photo of veteran
No  Washington Newspaper Obit, Notice, or Report
Yes WWII Draft Card Data TEC5 Anderson, on this page
Yes WWII Hospital Admission Records, Hospital Records, on this page

ABMC Records:
Thomas G. Anderson
Service #39589090
Rank, Technician Fifth Grade, U.S. Army
Unit, US Infantry, 279th Replacement Company
Entered Service From, Washington
Date of Death, February 11, 1945
Status, Missing In Action
Memorialized, Tablets of the Missing
 Manila American Cemetery
 Taguig City, Philippines
Awards: Purple Heart

WWII Draft Card Data
Thomas Garfield Anderson
White, Male, Age: 18
Birth Date: June 26, 1925
Birth Place: Seattle, Washington
Residence Place: Seattle, King County, Washington
Registration Date: June 26, 1943
Registration Place: Los Angeles, California
Employer: North Hollywood Bowling Alley
Height: 5' 9"   -  Weight: 137
Eye Color: Brown, Hair Color: Brown
Complexion: Light
Next of Kin: Eva Anderson
Members of Household: Thomas Garfield Anderson

WWII Hospital Admission Records
Thomas G. Anderson,
Service Number: 39589090
Rank: Enlisted Man (includes Aviation Cadet or Student)
Admission Age: 20
Birth Date: About 1925
Admission Date: February 1945
Discharge Date: February 1945
Discharge Place: Not in Medical Installation Prior to Death
Military Branch: Infantry, General or Unspecified
Military Unit: 0
Diagnosis: Killed in action;
Location: Unknown, code not applicable;
Causative Agent: None or Unknown
Type of Injury:
Injury Type 1: Casualty, battle
Injury Type 2: All battle casualties, and all battle injuries not intentionally inflicted by self or another person
Notes: Cases reported by AGO only, except death in German or Japanese prison (Officially Declared Dead or Unmatched Reports of Death)

Note 1, Death Location: "Near Mindanao, off the Philippine Islands" is based on the best information available at this time. In the case of TEC5 Anderson, this location was verified on:

A. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Reports "Anderson, Thomas G., Pvt, 39589090 US Army, 2/11/1945 LST577; Infantry Philippines".

B. The American Battle Monuments Commission website identifies his assigned unit as "US Infantry", date of death as February 11, 1945 and that he was awarded the Purple Heart.

C. At the time TEC5 Anderson was Killed In Action, some members of the 279th Replacement Company were aboard LST-577, East of Mindanao, off the Philippine Islands. LST-577 was torpedoed by Japanese submarine RO 50.

D. Hospital Admission Records indicate that TEC5 Anderson was "Not in Medical Installation Prior to Death" and his body was not recovered.

E. Further information on the history and service of the LST-577 can be found at the Naval History and Heritage Command website LST-577.

Anyone with additional information is welcomed and encouraged to submit an email to: ww2updates@withmilitaryhonors.com.

The following information on this casualty is sourced from The National Archives Database:
 Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 - 1946 (Enlistment Records)

 Do you have comments, questions, corrections or updates about TEC5 Thomas Anderson? With Military Honors would like to hear from you. To submit a picture, leave a comment or add any relevant military or family information to honor this veteran, send an email to nick@withmilitaryhonors.com.
 Your information will be reviewed and posted as soon as it can be processed.