Bruce Anderson (soldier)
Bruce Anderson | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 19, 1845 Mexico |
| Died | August 22, 1922 (aged 77) Albany, New York, US |
| Place of burial | Green Hill Cemetery Amsterdam, New York, US |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Branch | United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1864 - 1865 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit | Company K, 142nd Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry |
| Battles / wars | American Civil War Second Battle of Fort Fisher |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Bruce Anderson (June 19, 1845 – August 22, 1922) was an African American Union Army soldier in the American Civil War and a recipient of America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher.
After working as a farmer in New York Anderson joined the military to fight in the Civil War and volunteered with a group of other soldiers to eliminate a palisade that was blocking the advance of his unit. After completing the mission and destroying the palisade, Anderson and twelve others were recommended for the Medal of Honor but the paperwork was lost. Anderson hired an attorney to get the Medal and he and two other soldiers received it in 1914.