Memorial

Biography

Andrew grew up in an Old Order Amish community which did everything it could to avoid any contact with the "outside world". By rejecting public electricity, television, radio, automobiles, and modern clothing, Amish communities have always tried to protect their way of life from outside influences. Andrew truly loved his brothers, his sisters and his father (his mother passed away when he was young), but at the age of 17, he decided to leave the Amish Church, and knew there would be no turning back. Due to their strong belief in non-resistance, Amish men have always refused to serve in the army and fight in wars, but in 1943, Andrew joined the U.S. Army, and his decision deeply shocked his community. One of his brothers later recalled: "Nobody was happy about him going into the military".

More information

Pvt Andrew K. Stoltzfus worked on a farm.

He enlisted in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on 13 November 1943. He was sent overseas in June 1944.