Electrician's Mate 2/c Arthur J. Anderson

Monday, November 8, 1943-- Word has been
received by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur O. Anderson of
31 Cumberland Avenue, Verona, their son,
Electrician's Mate 2/c Arthur J. Anderson, was
killed in action September 11 in the battle of
Salerno.

Word from the Navy Department, which formerly
listed the boy as "missing," arrived Friday on
what would have been Anderson 22d birthday.
He had seen action in since May 9 on board the
U. S. S. Savannah, which took part in the
invasion of Sicily.

Born in Kearny, Anderson grew up in Verona,
where he was graduated from the borough high
school. He had worked as an electrician at the
Irvington Municipal Building before enlisting in
the Navy in January, 1942. His father, an
electrician at the Essex County Hospital at Cedar
Grove, holds several medals, including the
Purple Heart, from World War I.

In the last letter received by his parents,
Anderson, writing September 5, said he was
seeing "a lot of action" and at the moment the
State of New Jersey seemed to be the most
wonderful place in the world. He is survived also
by a sister, Seaman 1/c Helen T. Anderson in the
WAVES, who was at home on leave when news
of his death arrived.

ID: 06470078
Entered the Service From: New Jersey
Rank: Electrician's Mate, Second Class

Service: U.S. Navy, United States Naval Reserve

Died: Saturday, September 11, 1943
Memorialized at: Sicily-Rome American Cemetery
Location: Nettuno, Italy

Awards: Purple Heart

Photo #: NH 95562
USS Savannah (CL-42) is hit by a German radio-controlled bomb, while supporting Allied forces ashore
during the Salerno operation, 11 September 1943. The bomb hit the top of the ship's number three
6"/47 gun turret and penetrated deep into her hull before exploding. The photograph shows the
explosion venting through the top of the turret and also through Savannah's hull below the waterline. A
motor torpedo boat (PT) is passing by in the foreground.

Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Collection of Admiral H. Kent Hewett, USN.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

The goal of this project is to preserve the memory of these heroes and not let
their stories be lost to history. Their sacrifices should be honored and their
histories should be available to school children and adults to learn about the
heroic Verona residents who came before them. It is vital that friends and
family of these heroes be found, so that they may share pictures, service
records, and other information to add to these stories. If you are a
family member or friend of one of these heroes, or you know someone
who is or may have additional information, please contact:
Robert Caruso
Heritage Preservation Associates
Verona, New Jersey
veronaheroes@heritagepreservation.us

Verona High School
Class of 1941 Yearbook

Verona Hero