James Roy Andersen

Brigadier General James Roy Andersen (May 10, 1904 – February 26, 1945) was a United States Army Air Forces officer. He was declared killed in action after an aircraft accident on February 26, 1945, over the Pacific Ocean.

Background


Andersen was born in Racine, Wisconsin, on May 10, 1904, the son of Niels and Inger (Klausen) Andersen. He graduated from Racine High School in 1922. He graduated from the United States Military Academy on the Hudson River at West Point, New York, on June 12, 1926, fourth in his class. Shortly after graduating, married his high school sweetheart, Esther Katherine Hau. He then joined the 2nd Infantry at Fort Sheridan Illinois for 2 years, then served 3 years at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; 3 years at Aberdeen (Maryland) Proving Ground Command and Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey; one year in Boston, and one year at Selfridge Field, Michigan, plus one year in San Antonio, Texas. He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1934 with a Master of Science degree. He spent 6 years in the infantry and 3 years in ordinance before entering into flight school. In 1936, he was promoted to captain and obtained his wings at Kelly Field, Texas and assigned to Hickam Field, Hawaii. During World War II, he returned to West Point as an instructor, with promotion to colonel by early 1943. During 1943-1944 he served on the U.S. War Department General Staff. In January 1945, Andersen was promoted to brigadier general and assigned to HQ AAF, Pacific Ocean Area.

Disappearance
Andersen is believed to have died on February 26, 1945, in an aircraft accident near Kwajalein Island. He and Lieutenant General Millard Harmon were traveling on Consolidated C-87A Liberator Express serial number 41-24174, which disappeared between Kwajalein and Johnston Island while en route to Hawaii. The pilot of the aircraft was Major Frances Euel Savage.

Legacy
Andersen Air Force Base in the United States territory of Guam is named in his memory.

Service

 * 1940-07-01 – 1942-XX-XX - Instructor at Department of Chemistry & Electricity, US Military Academy West Point
 * 1942-03-XX – 1943-06-XX - Director of Training at the Army Air Force Basic Advanced Flying School
 * 1943-06-XX – 1944-08-XX - Attached to Plans Division, War Department General Staff
 * 1944-08-XX – 1945-02-26 - Chief of Staff, US Army Air Forces Pacific Ocean Areas
 * 1945-02-26 – Lost in an airplane crash at sea
 * 1945-03-17 – Search abandoned
 * 1946-02-27 – Declared dead

Promotions

 * 1942-01-05 Lieutenant-Colonel (Army of the United States)
 * 1942-03-01 Colonel (Army of the United States)
 * 1943-06-12 Major
 * 1945-01-21 Brigadier-General (Army of the United States)