Clift Andrus

Biography

Major General Clift Andrus was born on October 12th, 1890 at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. General Andrus was a close friend of Major General Terry Allen while growing up, and both of them had promised that if they were to join the army, they would each branch opposite of their respective fathers - both of whom were in the military at the time. “Mr. Chips,” as he was nicknamed, was at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese surprise attack on December 7th, 1941, his two favorite songs were the “Field Artillery song” and “Colonel Bogey March,” and he often enjoyed playing chess, as well as reading Dickens and Mark Twain while in the field. The often eyebrow-raising fun facts of General Andrus fail in comparison to his accomplishments and dedication while serving in the United States Army. General Andrus’ military career began with a modest approach; upon attending the Shattuck Military School in Minnesota, it was there where he learned the discipline, order, and responsibility that would shadow his footsteps through the North African Campaign, as well as the European Theater of War. After graduating from The Shattuck Military School, General Andrus attended Cornell University, where he graduated and was commissioned in the regular army as a Second Lieutenant of Field Artillery on April 24, 1912. The field artillery branch proved to be a fitting choice for General Andrus, and the United States Army made quick use of his expertise. General Andrus was designated an instructor at the School of Fire on during July 1917, which led to his promotion as director of the Department of Artillery on September 1919. General Andrus’ further assignments include: camp executive officer at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, as well as being designated as an instructor of national guard units at Seattle, Washington during April 1921. General Andrus’ further assignments are highlighted by his graduation from the field artillery school at Ft. Sill in June, 1928, and his graduation from the Command and General Staff School at Ft. Leavenworth in 1930. General Andrus’ command time was highlighted by his command of the 6th Division Artillery during March – July 1941, his command of the 24th division artillery during November 1941. In combat General Andrus commanded the 1st Infantry Division, Division Artillery, during the division's battles in North Africa, Sicily and Northern France.  His cool demeanor and effective leadership of the Division Artillery meant victory for the division on many occasions. In November 1944, he assumed command of the 1st Infantry Division through the rest of the war. He later went on to become the commandant of the Artillery School at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma in 1946, and later was appointed the deputy commanding general of the 2nd army at Ft. George G. Meade, Maryland in March of 1950.

Throughout General Andrus’ esteemed career, he served in Oran, Sicily, Algeria, Omaha beach, and throughout the European Theater, as well as the African theaters of war. During his service to the United States Army, General Andrus received a number of commemorations and awards. Among them were the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal, two Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, the Soldier’s Medal, two Bronze Stars, the French Fourragere, French Legion d’Honeur & Croix de Guerre with palm, and the Medal Militaire. “The most practicable and best informed artillery officer” that General Terry Allen had ever known was put to rest at the age of 77, wherein he died peacefully at his house in 1968. His father was Colonel Edwin Proctor Andrus, graduate of U.S.M.A, and his mother’s name was Marie Josephine Birdwell – of Fredericksville, Illinois. General Andrus married Eleanor Lightfoot on February 15, 1918; the couple had one daughter, born 1919 but later died shortly thereafter in 1929.

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