Frederick Otto Anderson was born and raised in Norway, Michigan. Freddie was the youngest son of Otto and Lydia Anderson. He grew up amongst five brothers, Arter (Ax), Guerdon, Oliver (Ollie), Verne (Boney) and Edward. There were no girls in the family. Freddie was 6' 3" (192 cm) tall and weighed about 180 lbs (81,6 Kilograms).

Freddie attended Norway High School and he graduated at the age of 16 years in the class of 1939. Amongst his classmates were Betty Burns, Kenneth Faull, Hubert Otto Peterson, Carl Swanson and Eliz. Ida Swanson. While attending High School, Freddie worked at the Rialto Theatre in Norway.

Freddie started college at the age of 17. He attended the Wisconsin School of Mines in Platteville Wisconsin (later Wisconsin Institute of Technology.) Three of Freddie's brothers, Ax, Guerdon and Ollie went to the same school, which was amazing due to the fact that this was during the Great Depression and the family was very poor.

Freddie played Football and track in both High School and College, besides that he was on the staff of the College Newspaper ... Football at mining school was almost a requirement of all students. If you could walk, you were a player and if you could run, a superstar ! The following is from the school newspaper, "the Geode", talking about Freddie Anderson from the 1941 team ... "Big Swede Anderson was a surprise at center. He played a whale of a game every minute he was in there. Swede improved with every game and never gave up fighting. Andy did well enough in his first year of football to gain a place along with his brothers in WIT's football hall of fame." ... the brothers were Ax, Guerdon and Ollie ...

In 1940 Freddie met the love of his life ... Carolyn Cordingly. At that time Freddie was 18 years old and Carolyn was 14 years. They first dated in November 1942 ... By then Freddie was 20 and Carolyn was 17 years "old".

On March 3, 1943 three months short of graduating as a Mining Engineer, Freddie was inducted into the Army, he left Platteville for Ft. Sheridan ... He followed Basic training for combat engineers in Ft Belvoir, Virginia from March 17, 1943.

After Basic training Freddie was accepted into the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP). He followed ASTP training in Georgetown University, Washington DC, in July 1943. After that, ASTP training on Harvard, in August 1943 and finally ASTP training at Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY from August 1943 to March 1944. In March 1944 the Army Specialized Training Program came to an abrupt end when the Army decided that Infantry was more necessary then specialized troops.

In March 1944 Freddie was transferred to Camp Polk, LA were training for Army Infantry took it's course ... This training was followed by Army Infantry training at Shreveport, LA in March 1944 and Army Infantry training at Camp Breckinridge, KY in April 1944 ... On 24 July 1944 at 5.30 PM, Freddie married the love of his life, Carolyn at First Congregational Church, Madison, Wisconsin.

In October 1944 Freddie and his division were shipped out to England on the Queen Mary. From here on Freddie's footsteps can be followed. One sees historical notes and his eternal love for his young wife back home, from letters he wrote to his brothers and especially to the woman he loved more then life itself ... his wife Carolyn ... The following paragraphs show some lines from those letters. Each letter is marked with a little image of a V-mail, the postal system in those days used by the US Armed Forces ... With those selected lines I try to give an insight, not only into the personal side of Freddie towards his wife Carolyn and to his family, but also on the terrible circumstances soldiers had to deal with in those days.

These letters show a man who starts his time in the army thinking about his wife only ... slowly we are allowed to witness the optimistic Freddie turn from a boy into a man by everything he sees and experiences. At the end we see that he almost loses hope of getting back home alive, but he tries to hide it from the people back home, especially from Carolyn ... Only in his last letter to his brother Eddie he opens up a bit more ... These letters show daily things which we take for granted these day, things like warm food and dry socks for example ... The climax is the last letter to his wife Carolyn ... the "Goodbye"-letter as his nephew Fred Anderson describes it ... This letter is added in full length !

Aboard the Queen Mary ...

"Dear Ollie, Nancy, Judy and Freddie ...

Well I'm at sea, guess I should have been a sailor, because most of the fellows are seasick. Seems like we have a jag on all the time. Sleeping in hammocks is bearable ... Not much happens here, so there is little to say. The ocean is beautiful, just like the movies ...

Your loving Brud and Uncle"

England ...

"Dear Ollie, Nancy, Judy and Freddie ...

I do like England and the people, but America, or even Kentucky sounds more appealing to me ... I'm trying to locate Bones (Freddie's brother Verne. His nickname was Boney), he's somewhere here wounded. I hope it's not serious ... Have you been writing to Carolyn ? And the folks ? I've received only 4 letters since I've been here, it's the same with all of us. We wish the mail would hurry up ...

Your loving Brother, Ted"

Somewhere in England, 12/1/1944 ...

"My Darling ...

And here it is December already. Possibly it's the same on your end. I suppose there is a long interval with no mail from me. Well I hope to hell I get some soon ... We finally got paid, and I like others, are about broke again. These last two months ran up a bill, but from now on, it shouldn't be so bad. We have no idea of the future, with no indications, so don't worry about anything ... I wish I were there with you. Yee, wish I could be anywhere, with you ...

I Love You, Andy."

December 2nd England ...

"My Darling ...

I'm really getting worried now, no mail again ... How is the weather over there honey ? I can't describe it here ... The climate at home is the best in the world, to me. I'm ready to go home anytime, but I reckon I'll stick around awhile, just to be polite, of course. Now looks exceptionally good, maybe it won't be so long. Maybe a lot of things, but one thing is sure, that I love the gal that used to buy eight-cent hot dogs at the Squeeze Inn ...

I Love You, Fr.O."

December 3rd England ...

"Darling ...

I love you very much ... Why in holy hell aren't I getting mail ? Last week I heard from mother and that's all. No kidding I just boil over every mail call, when I don't get a letter. My hat is trampled beyond recognition ... Are you going home for Christmas honey ? I doubt that I'll be home with you this year, maybe next ... But it will be sometime for sure. Yes I will see you again and for a long time. I hope you have enough cash for Xmas. We're all broke here but we need very little so far. I'll be seeing you ...

I Love You, Andy"

Somewhere in France ...

"Dear Ollie, Nancy, Judy and Freddie ...

With luck you ought to get this during 1944, but it's hard to tell ... I'd sure like to drop over some weekend, but it probably won't be for a while ... Saw Boney twice, he hasn't changed a bit, but he actually had it rough and he has the marks and scars to show it ... I'm wishing you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year ...

Love, Ted"

After not getting any mail from his wife, Freddie apparently received a load of letters in one time from her. This letter says it all ...

Somewhere in France, December 15nd 1944 ...

"Darling Carolyn ...

Hello Darling, on the continent at last. France sure has been cleaned out by the Jerry. I hope America is never overrun that way. It really is a good cause, this war, if it will keep peace for a long time. I've been hungry since I left the States, I must be growing yet. I'd sure appreciate it if every once in a while, every week or two, you could send a little box of something or other, cookies and candy and stuff. We all live on stuff from home here ...

I Love You, "Freddie"

Somewhere in Belgium, December 21st 1944 ...

"Darling Carolyn ...

Hello honey. Sorry it's been so long, but it can't be helped. We rode across France, 35 men in a box car. Bombs kept us awake a lot and especially now, but we are used to them and they don't bother us. Well not much anyhow. France is a pretty country, most of it looks like Belmont last summer, only worse ... We're all pretty exited and nervous ... Occasionally we happen to remember that it is almost Christmas, it means little. I hope yours was a happy one. I love you awfully much, Carolyn ... Don't forget your prayers and keep your chin up. I'll be OK ...

I Love You, Andy"

Belgium, January 8, 1945 ...

"My Darling Wife ...

I'm still in Belgium, just taking a few hours rest. And I'm not kidding, we need it. I believe I've experienced just about everything in life now ... I'm glad you liked the pictures. I never look better then I did then. I was a boy. Do I sound pessimistic ? ... I'll be back if it's possible in one piece. Sorry to be so depressing. Carolyn I'm damn near bamling. I love you more than anything.

Yours forever, Fr.O."

Belgium, January 9, 1945 ...

"Darling Carolyn ...

You may not hear from me again for a while now, it depends entirely upon conditions. Rest assured I'll be O.K. It seems this bracelet and your picture are good luck ... It's morning now, will move soon ... marching. Keeps the feet warm, anyhow ... I love you awfully much. Bye Bye.

Your Loving, Fr.O."

Belgium, January 11, 1945 ...

"Darling Carolyn,

I have a few moments and my hands are almost warm enough to write ... You should see the shape I'm in ... I can eat very little and I'm weak as a kitten. Sure wish my stomach would settle down and solidify .... In case you haven't noticed the return address, you may look now. There is a slight change as of today (Freddie was promoted to Staff Sergeant) I know I can do it and I feel very capable. Possibly it means an easier completion of our education, let's hope so ....

XX Your Loving Husband, Stff Sgt F.O."

Jan. 11th 1945, Belgium ...

"Dearest Folks ...

The weather is cold and snowy as hell so it's just like home. Have you much snow ? Also notice the change in address, my rank is Staff Sergeant now. It means a little more pay so possible Carolyn and I can save some. I hope so ... I don't know what the war news is over there, guess it looks pretty good. But here things seem to move slowly. No doubt that Germany will lose, but it may not be for a while. So long for now keep your chin up and be good.

Your Loving Son, Ted"

Jan. 12th 1945, With 1st Army in Belgium ...

"Darling Brother (Eddie) ...

O.K. so I won't write V-mail, but I'll be damned if I know when you'll get this, we have no air-mail stamps, I see your point about V-mail, but a letter is a letter ... I'm not a rookie overseas ... I've gone thru too much to take that. I'm lucky a lot of times, that I can even be here writing to you now. A lot of my buddies can't. I'm serious. At times we feel we'd rather die than live but self preservation is pretty strong. I've eaten a lot of ground, and no kidding mother earth is wonderful at times ... We really love slight wounds to be sent to the rear awhile.
     About my wedding, I didn't know about it myself for long. We just decided to quit waiting. I'm glad we did it. Carolyn would really appreciate a letter Eddie, more than anything. Please write to her and don't tell her I asked you to write ... You know, a welcome into the family means a lot and I know she'd like to hear from you all. None of my family has sent us a damn thing except Ollie ... She must wonder what kind of family I came from ...
    Please don't compare navy to army, we live and sleep, eat and die in mud and snow. I'm a civilian in heart. I want to go home ... We have lots to tell when we get together, Eddie let's pray that we all get to do it. Jee, I hope you can get home. Boy, the Navy's lucky. If we go home it's because we're more dead than alive ... Our weather is exactly opposite of yours. We never seem to get warm. Such is life. And for the time, so long Brud, give 'em hell. I am, We all are. Let's get this damn thing over ...

Your Loving Brud, Ted"

Only six days after writing the letters to Carolyn, his parents and to his brother Eddie, Freddie Anderson was killed near the little Belgian town of Bechè. In the following days Carolyn received the all over feared Western Union telegram and little while later a letter from Captain McLaughlin from the 289th Infantry Regiment. In both the telegram and the letter the writers express their deepest sympathy to Mrs. Carolyn J. Anderson ... Freddie Anderson lost his life, Carolyn felt like she lost her life as well ...

This following letter was the last one received by Freddie's wife Carolyn. She received the letter after he had been killed ... Note the way Freddie ends this letter ... For the first time he actually says "Goodbye" to her ...

From a letter of an (unknown) person who was in the same division as Freddie, we find information about the circumstances of Freddie's death ...

"Dad wrote me the name of a S/Sgt Frederick Anderson and said that if I found out any information, let him know. This boy, who was only married a week, was in John Ham's company after Howie Behan Shanghaied him into the Infantry and here is the story ..."

"The German SS Elite troops of the Hitler Jugend Division were opposing us just after they had been stopped and of course, nobody except the boys who were there can realize the terror and cold suffered by us. This Anderson was in a company which suffered almost 50% casualties in one day. The same day Ham got hit, many of our mutual friends were killed, a swell fellow who played football for Penn was shot through the eyeball in the same day that Anderson got it.
    Their mission was to protect the flank as the Battalion was advancing on the city of Bechè, Belgium. This town was stubbornly defended and one of Anderson's comrades fell in the city, mortally wounded. He and another doughboy volunteered to get the body if possible and as they were finding their way into the city, the Jerries opened up with mortars and machine guns and both of them were blown to bit by mortar fire. In that one days fighting in the Bulge, Ham's company suffered horribly. Greater love hath no man ...
    Anderson was a very popular man and has been remembered by his comrades, the ones still alive. Ham has a stiff leg and will have to walk with a cane for the rest of his life, so it goes but all in all, Anderson was a hero in the eyes of his comrades, volunteering to get one of his platoon in the face of the most fanatical and horrible resistance of the war."

On February 11, 1945 the Memorial Service for Frederick Otto Anderson was held in the Bethany Lutheran Church ... Of course Freddie's wife Carolyn attended the Memorial Service ... in a letter to Fred Anderson (Freddie's nephew) she tells about this "Memorial Service" ... This is her recollection ... "And on Feb 11 my dad and mother drove me to Norway for the service. I was not accepted by the family in Norway. They acted like there had been no marriage. I've enclosed the print out for the service. You will note that I'm not listed anywhere. And when the minister spoke nothing was noted about our marriage - like it never existed.
    Ollie and Ax plus my father followed me when I stood up and left the church during the minister's insulting and unbelievable eulogy. We drove to a nearby tavern, played the jukebox, drank, and all cried. That was our service and I know Freddie heard us. I was only 19 - your dad and uncle in their 20's and my dad had seen personally two terrible wars. It meant so much to me that Freddie's brothers and their families all supported me - it was such a dreadful part of my life. But, you know, it did teach me many things and it didn't make me bitter. I just swore that I would never act like that.

Love, Carolyn.

Both Ollie and Ax expressed their sympathy to Carolyn in letters they wrote to her after the ceremony. Expressing their anger about the way Carolyn was treated by the family ... It meant a lot to Carolyn that Freddie's brother's were with here that day.

In a letter of February 14, 1945, Freddie's widow Carolyn writes to Freddie's brother Ollie ... "This is the first letter I've attempted since I returned, other than to my folks, and I fear it's not exactly a literary masterpiece. You had a wonderful brother, Ollie. Guess you knew that, eh ? I feel anything but capable of being much of value in life with Freddie gone. Had a lot of plans built around that guy. However, someday I hope to be a really good nurse because he, for some silly reason, thought I could be. We always figured that we could do almost anything if we really wanted to, so I guess I'll carry on alone from here for both of us."

On January 17, 1945 Frederick Otto Anderson was killed by enemy action in Bechè, Belgium ... at that time he was only 22 years, 6 months and 26 days ... he accomplished more than many men will ever accomplish in their entire lives, but he had so much left to do and so much love to give to his wife Carolyn ...

After the war Carolyn visited Henri-Chapelle cemetery. In those days it was still a temporary cemetery with 17.232 American soldiers, airmen and sailors interred. Besides the Americans, there was a section for German soldiers as well ... When givin the opportunity to take Freddie back home, she decided that he should stay in Belgium, because in her opinion (surely based upon eyewitness reports) Freddie's body was too damaged. It's probably no surprise that Carolyn was criticized by some of the Anderson family for making that decision. On the other hand how can someone make a decision that serves everyone's wishes in such a situation... At that point there was only one who had to make that decision and for that person it was hard enough already ... this person was the one and only love in Freddie's life ... Mrs. Carolyn Anderson ...

These days Frederick Otto Anderson rests in the beautiful American Military Cemetery at Henri-Chapelle ... Carolyn cherishes her memories of Freddie. He is remembered and honored by his nephew Fred Anderson, who was named after his uncle. Freddie is also remembered by his entire family and honored by every visitor of the American Cemetery at Henri-Chapelle and by every visitor of this website. Freddie's final resting place has been adopted by the webmaster of the In-Honored-Glory website ...