Clift Andrus

Clift Andrus
Clift Andrus.jpg
Major General Clift Andrus during World War II.
Nickname(s)"Mr Chips"
Born(1890-10-12)October 12, 1890
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, United States
DiedSeptember 29, 1968(1968-09-29) (aged 77)
Washington, D.C., United States
Buried
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1912-1952
RankUS-O8 insignia.svg Major General
Service numberO-3266
UnitUSA - Army Field Artillery Insignia.svg Field Artillery Branch
Commands held1st Infantry Division
United States Army Field Artillery School
Battles/warsWorld War I
World War II
AwardsDistinguished Service Cross
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star (2)
Legion of Merit (2)
Bronze Star Medal (2)

Major General Clift Andrus (October 12, 1890 – September 29, 1968) was a highly decorated senior officer of the United States Army. He is most noted for his service as a commander of 1st Infantry Division at the end of World War II.

In military circles, Andrus was widely known by his nickname, "Mr. Chips".

Early years

Clift Andrus was born on October 12, 1890 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas as a son of army colonel, Edwin Proctor Andrus and his wife Marie Josephine (néé Birdwell). After attending a Shattuck-Saint Mary's in Faribault, Minnesota, Andrus began to study Civil Engineering at Cornell University as a member of the class of 1912. He left college before graduating, and entered the army in spring of 1912 with a commission as a second lieutenant in the 4th Field Artillery Regiment.

Andrus served at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and after three months was transferred to Fort Russell in Wyoming.

In 1914 and 1915, Andrus was assigned to the U.S.-Mexico border as part of the patrolling and security activities that preceded the Pancho Villa Expedition.

In 1915, Andrus was assigned to the Army Field Artillery School at Fort Sill for additional training. He remained at Fort Sill as an instructor throughout World War I.

His post-war assignments included service in Trier with the Army of Occupation stationed in Germany following the Armistice, staff duty with the office of the Chief of Field Artillery, and observer and instructor with several units of the National Guard.

Andrus graduated from the Field Artillery Advanced Course in 1928, the United States Army Command and General Staff College in 1930, the United States Army War College in 1934, and the Naval War College in 1935.

Second World War

At the beginning of the World War II, Colonel Andrus was commander of the 24th Infantry Division Artillery at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. In May 1942 he was promoted to brigadier general. Subsequently, he was transferred to the 1st Infantry Division under command of Terry de la Mesa Allen Sr., as commander of the Division Artillery.

Andrus participated with the 1st Infantry Division in several battles of the North African Campaign and was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star and other awards.

Life after War

The grave of Major General Clift Andrus at Arlington National Cemetery.

In June 1946, Andrus was transferred to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he was appointed commander of the Field Artillery School. Andrus served until April 1949, when he was transferred to the General Staff in Washington, D.C., where he became Director of the Organization & Training Division.

His last assignment was at Fort Meade, Maryland, where he was appointed deputy commander of the Second United States Army under command of Edward H. Brooks.

In 1951, Andrus received the honorary degree of Doctor of Science from Drexel University in 1951. Andrus retired from the Army on October 31, 1952.

Andrus died in Washington, D.C. on September 29, 1968 at the age of 77. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Family

He married Marion Eleanor Lightfoot on Feb. 15, 1918. They had two daughters: Margaret Josephine and Marion.

Summary of Military Career

Decorations

Major General Clift Andrus received numerous military decorations for bravery or distinguished service. Here is his ribbon bar:

Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze star
Bronze star
Arrowhead
Silver star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
1st Row Distinguished Service Cross
2nd Row Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster Soldier's Medal
3rd Row Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster World War I Victory Medal Army of Occupation of Germany Medal American Defense Service Medal with Base Clasp
4th Row American Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one service star European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with eight service stars and Arrowhead device World War II Victory Medal
5th Row Army of Occupation Medal National Defense Service Medal Chevalier of the Legion of Honor (France) French Croix de guerre 1939-1945 with Palm
6th Row Belgian Croix de Guerre with Palm Czechoslovak Order of the White Lion, 3rd Class Czechoslovak War Cross 1939-1945 Soviet Order of the Patriotic War

Dates of rank

US-O1 insignia.svg
Second lieutenant, Regular Army: April 24, 1912
US-O2 insignia.svg
 First lieutenant, Regular Army: July 1, 1916
US-O3 insignia.svg
 Captain, Regular Army: May 15, 1917
US-O4 insignia.svg
 Major, National Army: July 3, 1918
US-O5 insignia.svg
 Lieutenant colonel, National Army: October 24, 1918
US-O4 insignia.svg
 Major, Regular Army: July 1, 1920
US-O5 insignia.svg
 Lieutenant colonel, Regular Army: August 1, 1935
US-O6 insignia.svg
 Colonel, National Army: October 16, 1940
US-O6 insignia.svg
 Colonel, Regular Army: September 1, 1941
US-O7 insignia.svg
 Brigadier general, Army of the United States: May 22, 1942
US-O8 insignia.svg
 Major general, Army of the United States: March 17, 1945
US-O8 insignia.svg
 Major general, Regular Army: January 24, 1948

This page was last updated at 2023-03-14 05:37 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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