Grant Andreasen graduated from Utah State Agricultural College in June 1938 with a degree in Physical Education and was thereafter employed as an educator. In March 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve as a Chief Specialist, Athletics. Commissioned in the rank of Ensign in October of that year, he received training was a Scout Boat Officer in the landings at Gila, Sicily, and Salerno, Italy, during July and September 1943. During the 6 June 1944 landings on “Omaha” Beach, Lieutenant (j.g.)) Andreasen was again serving as a Scout Boat Officer, tasked with close support of dual drive (DD) tanks and landing craft during the initial assault on the heavily defended position. Following World War II, Andreasen resumed his career as a teacher. He remained in the Naval Reserve until the mid-1950s. Grant G. Andreasen died at Camarillo, Ventura County, California, on 6 May 1997.
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Cemetery:
Awards Received
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Navy Cross
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Silver Star
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior GradeDivision:
USN Scout Boat (LCT)Action Date:
June 6, 1944
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 334 (January 1945)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Grant Gibbs Andreasen (NSN: 0-231795), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Officer in Charge of an LCT Scout Boat during the amphibious assault on the Normandy Coast of France on 6 June 1944. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Andreasen embarked in one of the first craft to approach the strongly defended Normandy coast and succeeded in the highly important mission of locating the beaches to be assaulted. Despite heavy surf and harassing enemy fire, he went in close to the beach to act as a guide for the approaching wave of DD tanks. While he was in this advanced position he fired the rockets from his craft at target objectives, moved in closer to the beach, and rendered close fire support for the infantry assault waves. In addition to his assigned duties, without regard for his own personal safety and under heavy enemy fire he rescued wounded personnel from burning landing craft and carried them to safety. The outstanding devotion to duty and courage under fire displayed by Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Andreasen were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantDivision:
U.S. Naval Unit SixAction Date:
June 29 – July 21, 1945
Authority: Board of Awards: Serial 352 (February 7, 1946)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Grant G. Andreasen (NSN: 0-231795), United States Naval Reserve, for gallantry and intrepidity in action as Executive Officer of U.S. Naval Unit SIX, during the Southern Fukien campaign from 29 June to 21 July 1945. Lieutenant Andreasen led a group of American and Chinese guerillas against overwhelming odds in number and fire power of the Japanese. On 10 July near Chang Pu he pressed the attack, with two light machine guns and one heavy machine gun, against the Japanese column with such coolness and determination that the enemy was forced to abandon their course and were forced over a mountain trail where he again ambushed the enemy with great loss of life and captured much needed equipment. During this engagement the major general commanding the Japanese troops was killed. Lieutenant Andreasen’s efforts under extremely difficult circumstances were an inspiration to the Allied Officers and men serving with him. His courageous actions were in accordance with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.