#VeteranOfTheDay Navy Veteran Robert E. Andermann

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Navy Veteran Robert E. Andermann, who served aboard USS New Orleans in the Pacific during World War II.

Robert E. Andermann enlisted in the U.S. Navy in November 1942 at the age of 19. After he joined, the Navy sent him to basic training for three months. He then served at Bremerton Navy Yard in Washington state. A few days later, however, they transferred him to Sand Point Naval Air Station, on Lake Washington, located near Seattle. He served in a watch duty role at flight and parking ramps and hangars. In this role, he made sure only the proper people entered restricted areas.

After a few months, Andermann volunteered to be part of a flight group stationed aboard USS New Orleans. During his time aboard, he prepared aircraft for flight and guided them to a safe landing when they returned. He also performed general maintenance and watch duties. During battle, Andermann’s loaded an anti-aircraft gun.

During his service, Andermann earned an American Campaign Medal, an Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and nine battle stars. His ship was one of the most decorated ships of World War II, earning 17 battle stars and other medals. Andermann attained the rank of aviation metalsmith second class and left the service in 1948.

Soon after leaving the service, Andermann got married. He and his wife had four children and settled in Colorado. He earned a bachelor’s degree in painting and printmaking and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In addition to working in the fields of construction and carpentry, he taught art at Eastern Illinois University and Colorado State University.

Andermann passed away in September 2015 at the age of 91. 

We honor his service.

More of his story can be found at the Veterans History Project.

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It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Veterans History Project

This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.

Contributors

Writer: Isabel Nulter

Editor: Joseph Cardinal

Fact checker: Crystal Moore

Graphic artist: Alyssa Morford