Avdy Andresson
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Avdy Andresson (born November 15, 1899 - died August 27, 1990) was the Estonian Minister of War in exile from April 3, 1973 until two months before his death on June 20, 1990.
[edit] Biography
Born and raised in Estonia, which was then part of the Russian Empire, Andresson served in the Czar's Cavalry during World War I. During the Estonian Liberation War against Russia from 1918 until 1920 Andresson served in the 1st Cavalry Regiment ofEstonian Army and from 1920 to 1940 in the Cavalry Regiment and the Ministry of War's Horse Breeding Station as a non-commissioned officer and a veterinarian.
During the Soviet invasion and occupation of Estonia in 1940, during World War II, Andresson served in the German Cavalry division from 1940 until 1945.
Following Germany's defeat Avdy Andresson fled to the United States of America with his second wife Hilda Andresson (née Vilms). In 1960, he was elected president of the Union of Estonian Freedom Fighters. For years, he published a monthly Estonian Freedom Fighters bulletin called Virgats, and was instrumental in the construction of a granite monument in their honor on the grounds of the Lutheran Church in Northville, New Jersey. From 1973 until 1990, Andresson served as the Minister of War in Exile.
Andresson died in Deerfield, New Jersey and was laid to rest at the Northville Estonian Lutheran Cemetery in Cumberland County, New Jersey. His wife Hilda died in 1995 and was laid to rest next to him.
[edit] References/External links
- Northville Estonian Lutheran Cemetery, Cumberland County, New Jersey
- The Estonian community of Seabrook, New Jersey: From Displaced Persons Camp to Success in America, booklet.
- Ancestry Message Board post
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