Anders, Frank L. (Frank LaFayette), 1875-1966

Frank LaFayette Anders (November 10, 1875 – January 23, 1966) was a United States Army soldier who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Philippine–American War. He went on to become a noteworthy engineer, businessman, amateur military historian and politician.

Anders's active military career began in December 1894 when he enlisted in Co. B of the 1st Regiment of the North Dakota National Guard. He was serving his second enlistment when his unit was sent to the Philippines in 1898. He was assigned to Young’s Scouts, a picked body of men noted for their rifle marksmanship. Major Anders’ Congression Medal of Honor citation read as follows: “This is to certify that the president of the United States of America, pursuant to the act of congress approved March 3, 1862, has awarded in the name of Congress to Corp. Frank L. Anders, Company B 1st North Dakota Volunteer Infantry, the Congressional Medal of Honor for most distinguished gallantry in action at San Miguel de Mayumo, Luzon, Philippine Islands, May 13, 1899. With 11 other scouts he charged over a distance of about 150 yards and completely routed about 300 of the enemy who were in line and in a position that could only be carried by a frontal attack.”

After serving in the Philippine-American War, Anders returned to the U.S. in September 1899 and was discharged as a corporal. He worked with mining concerns in Salt Lake City, Utah, for two years and realized the need for a college education in order to achieve success in his chosen field. He entered Ripon, Wis., College in 1902 and with only a seventh grade education as a preparatory by dispensation from the college authorities. He attended summer school to make up his deficiency and was graduated in four years at the head of his class in 1906. He was awarded the first scholarship at the college to study at the University of Wisconsin. After a year there in civil engineering he entered the employ of a copper company in Utah.

In 1909, Anders returned to Fargo to practice engineering and the next year was appointed city engineer. During his 10-year service, he designed and supervised the construction of the Fargo filtration plant and managed its operation as superintendent of waterworks.

Anders was commissioned in 1918 as a captain in the Engineers Corps and was stationed at Camp Dodge, where he soon wrote the history of the camp for the War Department record. He was ordered to Camp Funston in Kansas in connection with historical work there and in 1919 was placed in charge of utilities of the hospital there, then the largest in the United States. He subsequently served at Washington and at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. He was discharged in 1919 after demobilization and hospitalization work of the post-war period had been completed. Anders was appointed regimental utilities officer in charge of Camp Grafton, N.D. in 1921 and completed a five-year construction program rated at the time as second to none in the United States. He also held a reserve commission of captain in the Fifth Engineers.

In 1925, Anders joined the Army and Navy Legion of Valor, an organization reserved for Medal of Honor and Distinguished Service Cross recipients. He was named historian of the organization and was later elevated to senior vice-commander. He had authored literature relative to military life, had made a map of the historic route of Gen. Custer and had compiled his records. Additional to his membership with the Army and Navy Legion of Valor, Anders was a member of the American Society of Engineers, the American Institute of Mining Engineers, Army and Navy Club of Washington, D.C., American Legion, United Spanish War Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Order of Indian Wears of the United States, Fargo-Moorhead Officers Mess, the Masons, and of the Fargo Commons Club.