11 Apr 2015 Fort Hunt Country Club, ALexandria, VA
General Anderson was born in 1919 in Morgantown, WV and graduated from the University of West Virginia in 1940. He was commissioned in the Marines in 1940 and served aboard the USS Yorktown, an aircraft carrier that was engaged in the early fighting in the South Pacific. The Yorktown was heavily damaged at Coral Sea, and then sunk at Midway. General Anderson recovered from his injuries and was trained as a pilot, then commanded Marine Bomber Squadron 443, flying PBJ-1 Mitchell bombers in combat in the Pacific. In the Korean conflict General Anderson command Marine Observation Squadron 6. In Vietnam he flew combat missions during his first tour, 1963-4, and returned as the Commanding General of Marine Amphibious Forces during the Battle of Khe Sanh and the Battle of Hue City. He continued to rise in rank and in 1972 became the youngest marine to attain four stars and served as the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps.
General Anderson's military decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal with two stars, the Legion of Merit with two stars and valor device, the Distinguished Flying Cross with one star, the Bronze Star with valor device, and the Purple Heart.
After retiring from the Marine Corps General Anderson became a very distinguished member of the American Bar Association, notably chairing the Standing Committee on Legal Assistance for Military Personnel.