Anderson Elmer Dean

ELMER “DEAN” ANDERSON, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer N. Anderson, was born on November 15, 1911, near Red Oak, Iowa. He entered the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, and graduated in 1935. He served on the USS Astoria, USS Philadelphia, USS Williams, and USS Truxon in the Atlantic Ocean. Elmer was awarded the American Campaign Medal, American Defense Fleet Medal, and World War II Victory Medal. He lost his life on February 18, 1942, due to a navigation error and bad weather conditions that caused three ships to run aground off St. Lawrence, Newfoundland, while on convoy duty. At the time of his death, he was 30 years old and held the rank of Lieutenant, USN. Submitted by his sister, Margaret Hillman of Sioux City, Iowa.