William E. Anderson and his brother Jack enlisted into the U.S. Army on Feb. 3, 1943. They initially entered into the field artillery, but later Bill transfered to the 2nd Ranger Battalion. On Nov. 14, 1944 the battalion arrived in Germany to relieve elements of the 112th Infantry Regiment in the protracted "Battle of Huertgen Forest". Bill's brother Jack joined the Rangers on Dec. 2, 1944 and four days later the Rangers moved in to help occupy and secure the village of Bergstein.
The Rangers' next task on Dec. 7th was to assault and hold the 400 meter high Castle Hill (Hill 400) east of Bergstein. Company D and Company F began the assault at 7:30 AM of the heavily fortified hill laden with pill boxes. It was a bloody battle with repeated German counter attacks and heavy artillery barrages. The Rangers succeeded in capturing Hill 400 but with heavy casualties including Bill and his brother Jack, both dying from shrapnel wounds.
The Rangers' next task on Dec. 7th was to assault and hold the 400 meter high Castle Hill (Hill 400) east of Bergstein. Company D and Company F began the assault at 7:30 AM of the heavily fortified hill laden with pill boxes. It was a bloody battle with repeated German counter attacks and heavy artillery barrages. The Rangers succeeded in capturing Hill 400 but with heavy casualties including Bill and his brother Jack, both dying from shrapnel wounds.
William E. Anderson and his brother Jack enlisted into the U.S. Army on Feb. 3, 1943. They initially entered into the field artillery, but later Bill transfered to the 2nd Ranger Battalion. On Nov. 14, 1944 the battalion arrived in Germany to relieve elements of the 112th Infantry Regiment in the protracted "Battle of Huertgen Forest". Bill's brother Jack joined the Rangers on Dec. 2, 1944 and four days later the Rangers moved in to help occupy and secure the village of Bergstein.
The Rangers' next task on Dec. 7th was to assault and hold the 400 meter high Castle Hill (Hill 400) east of Bergstein. Company D and Company F began the assault at 7:30 AM of the heavily fortified hill laden with pill boxes. It was a bloody battle with repeated German counter attacks and heavy artillery barrages. The Rangers succeeded in capturing Hill 400 but with heavy casualties including Bill and his brother Jack, both dying from shrapnel wounds.
The Rangers' next task on Dec. 7th was to assault and hold the 400 meter high Castle Hill (Hill 400) east of Bergstein. Company D and Company F began the assault at 7:30 AM of the heavily fortified hill laden with pill boxes. It was a bloody battle with repeated German counter attacks and heavy artillery barrages. The Rangers succeeded in capturing Hill 400 but with heavy casualties including Bill and his brother Jack, both dying from shrapnel wounds.
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