20 Facts About Clift Andrus

Major General Clift Andrus was a highly decorated senior officer of the United States Army.

Clift Andrus 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".

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.

Clift Andrus 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.

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

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

In 1915, Clift Andrus was assigned to the Army Field Artillery School at Fort Sill for additional training.

Clift 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.

At the beginning of the World War II, Colonel Clift Andrus was commander of the 24th Infantry Division Artillery at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

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

In June 1946, Clift Andrus was transferred to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he was appointed commander of the Field Artillery School.

In 1951, Clift Andrus received the honorary degree of Doctor of Science from Drexel University in 1951.

Clift Andrus died in Washington, DC, on September 29,1968, at the age of 77.

Clift Andrus married Marion Eleanor Lightfoot on February 15,1918.

Major General Clift Andrus received numerous military decorations for bravery or distinguished service.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9,1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Brigadier General Clift Andrus, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with an Artillery Battalion of the 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in July 1943.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9,1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Clift Andrus, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, during the period from 8 March to 27 April 1945.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9,1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Brigadier General Clift Andrus, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 1st Infantry Division.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2,1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier's Medal to Major Clift Andrus, United States Army, for heroism, not involving actual conflict with an enemy, displayed while serving with the 13th Field Artillery, in rescuing Private First Class Alexander J Kaye, Service Battery, from drowning at Mokuleia, Oahu Territory of Hawaii on the evening of 21 April 1933.