Gordon Anderson was born to John O'Dean and Cora Matilda Anderson in Mayfield, Utah on April 27, 1922.. There were 8 children in their family; 6 boys and 2 girls. From oldest to youngest: Maurice, Matilda, Linford, Roy, Robbie, Gordon, Edward, and LaRee. Linford lived only one day. Gordon had a special appreciation for the mountains, and loved to spend time there especially with his family. Gordon worked in the mountains logging with his Dad. Later he got a job with his older brother Maurice on the railroad. That was where he was working when he was drafted into the army. Maurice didn't serve in the war, but the four other sons that were still living all were drafted into World War II. When a son went out to war, his parents got a paper star to put in their front window. So John O'Dean and Cora Matilda had four stars on their front window at one time. That was pretty neat and unusual.

Gordon reported to Fort Douglas, Salt Lake City on December 5, 1942. He was sent to Camp Howze, Texas for basic training. He was then transferred to Camp Polk in Shreveport, Louisiana on November 18, 1943. Gordon came home on a furlough the end of January 1944.

The four brothers that served in World War II at their brother Maurice's funeral

Gordon reported to Fort Douglas, Salt Lake City on December 5, 1942. He was sent to Camp Howze, Texas for basic training. He was then transferred to Camp Polk in Shreveport, Louisiana on November 18, 1943. Gordon came home on a furlough the end of January 1944 and arrived back at Camp Claiborne on February 2, 1944. He received the rank of Private First Class the last of February 1944. He then went to Fort Mead, Maryland on March 16, 1944 and sailed out of the U.S.A. on March 23, 1944.
Gordon landed in Italy on April 4, 1944. He was assigned to the 180th Infantry Regiment just in time for the breakout from Anzio. Gordon received two shrapnel wounds along the way. Both wounds him in the hospital for a while.

Gordon Anderson Italy July 23,1944 (photo with friend)

 

Then they went on into France where he was seriously wounded on December 4, 1944. His family still at home didn't hear anymore froom him until December 11, 1944 and they heard that he was okay and he was being shipped to the U.S.A. On December 21, they heard he was in Denver in the Fitzsimmons Hospital. He came home on furlough in February. He returned to Camp Carson, Colorado and received an honorable discharged on April 23, 1945.

Gordon Anderson back home

 

Gordon never married or had any children, but he had many family members and friends that visited him often. He started having heart trouble about a year before he passed away. In February 1993 he had a heart attack that put him in the hospital. He was then sent to a Provo hospital. My family visited him before he died and I'm grateful we did. Gordon Willis Anderson passed away at age 70 on March 18, 1993. Gordon was buried in the Mayfield cemetery.

Gordon in 1988

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