Major General Clift Andrus (October 12, 1890 – September 29, 1968)[1] was a highly decorated senior officer of the United States Army. He is most noted for his service as a commander of 1st Infantry Division at the end of World War II.
Clift Andrus | |
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 Major General Clift Andrus during World War II. | |
| Nickname(s) | "Mr Chips" |
| Born | October 12, 1890 Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, United States |
| Died | September 29, 1968 (aged 77) Washington, D.C., United States |
| Buried | Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, United States |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1912-1952 |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Service number | O-3266 |
| Unit |  Field Artillery Branch |
| Commands | 1st Infantry Division United States Army Field Artillery School |
| Battles / wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal (2) |
In military circles, Andrus was widely known by his nickname, "Mr. Chips".[2][3]
Early years
editClift Andrus was born on October 12, 1890, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas as a son of army colonel, Edwin Proctor Andrus and his wife Marie Josephine (née Birdwell).[4] After attending a Shattuck-Saint Mary's in Faribault, Minnesota, Andrus began to study Civil Engineering at Cornell University as a member of the class of 1912.[4] He left college before graduating, and entered the army in spring of 1912 with a commission as a second lieutenant in the 4th Field Artillery Regiment.
Andrus served at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and after three months was transferred to Fort Russell in Wyoming.
In 1914 and 1915, Andrus was assigned to the U.S.-Mexico border as part of the patrolling and security activities that preceded the Pancho Villa Expedition.
In 1915, Andrus was assigned to the Army Field Artillery School at Fort Sill for additional training. He remained at Fort Sill as an instructor throughout World War I.
His post-war assignments included service in Trier with the Army of Occupation stationed in Germany following the Armistice, staff duty with the office of the Chief of Field Artillery, and observer and instructor with several units of the National Guard.
Andrus graduated from the Field Artillery Advanced Course in 1928, the United States Army Command and General Staff College in 1930, the United States Army War College in 1934, and the Naval War College in 1935.
Second World War
editAt the beginning of the World War II, Colonel Andrus was commander of the 24th Infantry Division Artillery at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. In May 1942 he was promoted to brigadier general. Subsequently, he was transferred to the 1st Infantry Division under command of Terry de la Mesa Allen Sr., as commander of the Division Artillery.
Andrus participated with the 1st Infantry Division in several battles of the North African Campaign and was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star and other awards.[5]
Life after War
edit
In June 1946, Andrus was transferred to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he was appointed commander of the Field Artillery School. Andrus served until April 1949, when he was transferred to the General Staff in Washington, D.C., where he became Director of the Organization & Training Division.
His last assignment was at Fort Meade, Maryland, where he was appointed deputy commander of the Second United States Army under command of Edward H. Brooks.
In 1951, Andrus received the honorary degree of Doctor of Science from Drexel University in 1951. Andrus retired from the Army on October 31, 1952.
Andrus died in Washington, D.C., on September 29, 1968, at the age of 77. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[6]
Family
editHe married Marion Eleanor Lightfoot on February 15, 1918.[4] They had two daughters: Margaret Josephine and Marion.[4]
Summary of Military Career
editDecorations
editMajor General Clift Andrus received numerous military decorations for bravery or distinguished service. Here is his ribbon bar:[5]
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| 1st Row | Distinguished Service Cross | |||||||||||||||
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| 2nd Row | Army Distinguished Service Medal | Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster | Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster | Soldier's Medal | ||||||||||||
| 3rd Row | Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster | World War I Victory Medal | Army of Occupation of Germany Medal | American Defense Service Medal with Base Clasp | ||||||||||||
| 4th Row | American Campaign Medal | Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one service star | European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with eight service stars and Arrowhead device | World War II Victory Medal | ||||||||||||
| 5th Row | Army of Occupation Medal | National Defense Service Medal | Chevalier of the Legion of Honor (France) | French Croix de guerre 1939-1945 with Palm | ||||||||||||
| 6th Row | Belgian Croix de Guerre with Palm | Czechoslovak Order of the White Lion, 3rd Class | Czechoslovak War Cross 1939-1945 | Order of the Patriotic War Second Class (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics)[7] | ||||||||||||
Distinguished Service Cross Citation
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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Brigadier General Clift Andrus (ASN: 0-3266), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with an Artillery Battalion of the 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in July 1943. Brigadier General Andrus' 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 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
Army Distinguished Service Medal Citation
edit
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Clift Andrus (ASN: 0-3266), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, during the period from 8 March to 27 April 1945.
Silver Star Citation
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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Brigadier General Clift Andrus (ASN: 0-3266), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 1st Infantry Division. An enemy breakthrough occurred where units, prepared to defend and counterattack in force, had been placed. When the breakthrough occurred, enemy infantry elements overran two batteries of an artillery battalion. General Andrus, at grave danger to his life, personally assisted in reorganization of various elements of his artillery battalion and so skillfully disposed adjoining artillery elements that this enemy attack was completely broken down.
Soldier's Medal Citation
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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier's Medal to Major (Field Artillery) Clift Andrus (ASN: 0-3266), United States Army, for heroism, not involving actual conflict with an enemy, displayed while serving with the 13th Field Artillery, in rescuing Private First Class Alexander J. Kaye, Service Battery, from drowning at Mokuleia, Oahu Territory of Hawaii on the evening of 21 April 1933. When the boat in which they were riding capsized on a surf-swept coral reef, Private Kaye who was unable to swim ashore clung to the overturned boat while his companion swam ashore to summon aid. In response to the call for help Major Andrus and three companions, at great risk of their lives, went to the rescue in two small rowboats. In the darkness and heavy surf both boats were swamped and the rescue party swept out to sea making their way back with difficulty. Nevertheless, they persisted in their efforts of rescue and, after several hours of perilous effort working in darkness and rough sea, succeeded in getting a line to the capsized boat and bringing Private Kaye safely to shore.[8]
Dates of rank
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Second lieutenant, Regular Army: April 24, 1912 |
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First lieutenant, Regular Army: July 1, 1916 |
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Captain, Regular Army: May 15, 1917 |
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Major, National Army: July 3, 1918 |
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Lieutenant colonel, National Army: October 24, 1918 |
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Major, Regular Army: July 1, 1920 |
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Lieutenant colonel, Regular Army: August 1, 1935 |
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Colonel, National Army: October 16, 1940 |
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Colonel, Regular Army: September 1, 1941 |
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Brigadier general, Army of the United States: May 22, 1942 |
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Major general, Army of the United States: March 17, 1945 |
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Major general, Regular Army: January 24, 1948 |
References
edit- ^ "Biography of Major-general Clift Andrus (1890 -1968), USA". generals.dk. 2010-07-04. Retrieved 2013-05-09.
- ^ Rick Atkinson (2013). The Guns at Last Light: The War in Western Europe, 1944-1945. Picador - Henry Holt and Company, New York. ISBN 9781250037817. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- ^ Randall LeCocq and John Driscoll (2018). The Battle of the Bulge: A Montana Perspective. Helena, Montana. ISBN 9781387716739. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- ^ a b c d Marquis Who's Who, Inc. Who Was Who in American History, the Military. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who, 1975. P. 13 ISBN 0837932017 OCLC 657162692
- ^ a b "Valor Awards for Clift Andrus". militarytimes.com. 2010-07-04. Archived from the original on 2013-06-29. Retrieved 2013-05-09.
- ^ "Andrus, Clift". ANC Explorer. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
- ^ Empric, Bruce E. (2024), Uncommon Allies: U.S. Army Recipients of Soviet Military Decorations in World War II, Teufelsberg Press, p. 108, ISBN 979-8-3444-6807-5
- ^ "Clift Andrus - Recipient -". valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved 1 April 2023.