Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Robert
Harold
Anderson
DNB (1945)
September 17, 1918

–

June 5, 1945

Cemetery:

Forest Hill Cemetery

Robert Anderson became a U.S. Naval ACE during World War II, and was credited with destroying 8.5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He was killed in a flying accident over Maryland on June 5, 1945.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Bombing Fighting Squadron 80 (VBF-80)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)

    Action Date:

    January 10, 1945

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Robert Harold Anderson (NSN: 0-106429), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in operations against the enemy shipping off the coast of Indo-China on 10 January 1945. Leading a division of carrier based fighter planes against an enemy convoy, he personally scored a direct 1,000-pound bomb hit on a large tanker causing it to explode and later sink. His courage, skill and leadership, coupled with complete disregard for his personal safety, were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Bombing Fighting Squadron 80 (VBF-80)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)

    Action Date:

    December 14, 1944
    Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0909 (January 13, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Robert Harold Anderson (NSN: 0-106429), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Bomber in Bombing Fighting Squadron EIGHTY (VBF-80), attached to the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV19), while participating in an aerial flight against enemy forces on 14 December 1944, in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands. Lieutenant Anderson led a division of planes in an eight-plane formation and when an enemy formation of twenty-seven planes was encountered, he led the attack on the enemy formation despite the numerical odds and during the ensuing engagement shot down five enemy planes and probably shot down another enemy plane. When his wingman was under attack by an enemy plane and while he was almost out of ammunition, he dove on the enemy plane and forced the enemy plane to break off from the attack. His courage and skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.