| John Percy Anderson was born about 1919. Stewartstown in Co. Tyrone
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| John was the son of David and Elizabeth Anderson. David Anderson owned the local Paragon Stores in the Square, Stewartstown. Originally from County Cavan, he settled in Stewartstown, where he and his wife had six children.
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| John’s mother, Elizabeth, died when he was a child.
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| About 1930, John emigrated to the United States alone when he was 11 years old. He settled with his aunt, Mrs Nelson, in Middlesex, New Jersey. Mrs Evelyn Nelson‘s address was Box 304, Colonia,
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| John attended Woodbridge High School
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| After leaving school John Anderson worked as a machine operator.
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| John Anderson enlisted in the US Army on 22nd May 1943 in Newark, New Jersey.
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| The 172nd Regiment, 43rd Division, were part of the US invasion fleet whose objective was the taking of Lingayen Gulf on the island of Luzon in the Philippines.
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| Private John Anderson acted as a radio operator with the forward command before the invasion. At 0930hrs on 9th February 1945 the Infantry’s 2nd Battalion landed at Beach White One amidst fierce Japanese mortar and artillery fire.
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| During the taking of the island Private John Percy Anderson was killed in action on 10th February 1945.
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| From the Fords Beacon newspaper (New Jersey) dated 15th March 1945 (p1):
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| WOODBRIDGE — More sad news reached the Township this week when families of six servicemen received word that the men had been killed in action. This makes a total of 105 men who have died in World War II, or approximately 3 per cent of the total number of Township men in service. Private John P Anderson, 26, son of David Anderson and the late Elizabeth Anderson of Stewartstown, County of Tyrone, Ireland and nephew of Mrs Evelyn Nelson, Box 304, Colonia, was killed 10th February 10 at Luzon. He attended Woodbridge High School and entered the service June 5, 1942. He went overseas in October of the same year.
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| Private John Percy Anderson was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. The following Citation for his Bronze Star was sent home to his aunt Mrs. Nelson in New Jersey:
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| ‘For Heroic achievement in connection with Military Operations against the enemy at Luzon, during the period of 10th – 30th January 1944. Private John Anderson, a radio operator for his battalion Commander, excelled in the performance of his duty during this entire period. No matter what acute situation the forward command group encountered, Private Anderson kept radio communications in operation. He also excelled in his alertness by keeping his battalion Commander informed of all radio messages accurately.’
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| Private John Anderson is buried at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines. Plot A, Row 7, grave 202.
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| Private John Percy Anderson is commemorated on Stewartstown Cenotaph and on Stewartstown Church of Ireland Roll Of Honour as P Anderson.
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| John Percy Anderson is commemorated on Stewartstown Cenotaph and on Stewartstown Church of Ireland Roll Of Honour as P Anderson.
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