(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Charles Hardin Anderson (ASN: 0-18785), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff of an Air Task Force supporting the British FOURTEENTH Army in the China-Burma-India Theater, from 1944 – 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Anderson and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Air Corps) Charles Hardin Anderson (ASN: 0-18785), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director of Training and Executive Officer, Army Air Forces Pilot School (Advanced-Single Engine), Craig Field, Alabama, from 16 April 1941 to 1 January 1943, and as Commanding Officer of that station from 1 January 1943 to 5 February 1944. Assigned the task of developing the flying department within a minimum length of time in order to train urgently needed pilots, his swift decisive planning made it possible for pilots to begin training on schedule despite a highly accelerated program incurred by the rapid expansion of the Army Air Forces. Through executive ability, versatility and resourcefulness, he was responsible for the introduction of many new training methods later adopted as standard procedures in fighter transition, night transition and night navigation training. He quickly developed the school into such an efficient and smoothly running organization that it was selected as one of the stations to be used in the British Pilot Training program, and later in the flying training program of the French Military Mission. The assimilation of British flight students into the standard program was performed by him in a most creditable manner and with utmost tact and diplomacy. The French program, rendered difficult because of the many problems presented by language differences, was handled with equal diplomacy and careful management, resulting in its complete integration as a part of the total mission of the school. His display of professional ability, resourcefulness and superior leadership contributed greatly to the success of the Training Command.