Cecil Melvin Andrews was born on December 25, 1916, in Bloomfield, Nebraska, to Burt C. and Lottie L. Andrews. Cecil had six brothers; Lyle, Lester, Curtis, Burt, Dean, and Gene, and two sisters; Fern and Loris. Cecil attended schools in Nebraska and South Dakota, as the family moved to Hill City. Cecil liked to fish and enjoyed sports. He worked in the woods, on the railroad, in mining and at Mt. Rushmore. Cecil attended church every week.

Cecil was drafted into the army on November 23, 1942 and reported for active duty on November 30. He first trained at Fort Crook, Nebraska, and then transferred to the Enlisted Reserve Corp at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He held the rank of PFC (private first class), and was sent to Europe on July 2, 1944.

PFC Andrews was stationed in France and Belgium. He was part of the 9th Infantry Division, and the 60th Infantry Regiment, Company L. In a letter written to his mother while he was stationed in France (dated 9/3/44), PFC Andrews stated, "I am still ok and praising the Lord for what he has done for me. The people here are sure happy to see the American soldiers and to know that they are free again."

During the 9th Infantry Division's attack on the Siegfriedline in the vicinity of Lammersdorf, PFC Cecil Melvin Andrews was fatally wounded in the line of duty on September 15, 1944, and died three days later on September 18, in a Belgium hospital.

In the official telegram (October 8, 1944) from the War Department notifying Mrs. Andrews of her son's death, Major General J.A. Ulio stated: "The significance of his heroic service to his country will be preserved and commemorated by a grateful nation, and it is hoped that this thought may give you strength and courage in your sorrow."

These days Cecil Andrews rests in the beautiful American Military Cemetery at Henri-Chapelle ... He is remembered and honored by his brother Lyle Andrews, by his entire family, by the people of the State of South Dakota, by every visitor of the Henri-Chapelle cemetery and by everyone who visits the In-Honored-Glory website.