Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Samuel
Egbert
Anderson
January 6, 1906

–

September 12, 1982

Cemetery:

U.S. Air Force Academy Cemetery

Samuel Anderson graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1928. After serving in the Army Air Forces in World War II, he transferred to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947. He retired in 1963 as a U.S. Air Force 4-Star General.

Awards Received

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    June 1, 1953 – June 1, 1954
    Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. 25 (June 9, 1954)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of Distinguished Service Medal (Air Force) to Lieutenant General Samuel Egbert Anderson (ASN: 0-17244/92A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commander, FIFTH Air Force, from 1 June 1953 to 1 June 1954. At the beginning of that period, General Anderson, through intelligent, resourceful leadership and astute deployment of tactical air power under the most restrictive operational conditions, directly influenced the accomplishment of United Nations objectives in Korea during a period of heightened enemy activity. By maintaining continuous air supremacy throughout the battle zone, by providing unprecedented close support to United Nations combined ground operations, and by the judicious selection and destruction of lucrative enemy targets, General Anderson was highly instrumental in inducing the enemy to conclude an armistice. General Anderson consistently maintained his air arm at a peak of operational effectiveness and flexibility, enabling it to effectively counter the enemy’s desperate efforts during the last weeks of hostilities. Particularly noteworthy were General Anderson’s achievements in connection with rendering North Korean airfields unserviceable just prior to the effective date of the Armistice Agreement concurrent with the destruction of record numbers of enemy MiGs in aerial combat. After the Armistice Agreement, General Anderson redirected the efforts of his entire command with emphasis on maintaining a high state of watchful readiness and operational effectiveness. Through his astute judgment, keen leadership and unselfish devotion to duty, Lieutenant General Anderson made a significant contribution to the success of United Nations operations in Korea, and reflected great credit upon himself, the FAR EAST Air Forces and the United States Air Force.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    March – May 8, 1945

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Major General Samuel Egbert Anderson (ASN: 0-17244/92A), United States Army Air Forces, for meritorious service in connection with military operations from March to 8 May 1945. As Commanding General, 9th Air Division, General Anderson, by outstanding knowledge of medium bombardment operations, military acumen and skill, was eminently responsible for the successful missions flown by aircraft at the Division in the initial phase of the Rhine River Crossings, as well as the sustained success of subsequent medium bombardment operations in the heart of the Rhineland. The superior executive abilities, resourcefulness and tact, exhibited by General Anderson throughout this period were in keeping with the highest traditions of the NINTH Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major General

    Regiment:

    3d Bombardment Wing

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    1943

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Samuel Egbert Anderson (ASN: 0-17244/92A), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commanding General, 3d Bombardment Wing, EIGHTH Air Force, in the European Theater of Operations in 1943. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    August 1, 1961 – July 31, 1963
    Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. G-100 (1963)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) to General Samuel Egbert Anderson (ASN: 0-17244/92A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, while serving as Air Deputy to the Supreme Allied commander Europe, from 1 August 1961 to 31 July 1963. Serving in this post of international significance for two years, General Anderson contributed directly to the security of the United States and its NATO Allies by his exceptional performance of duty. In his capacity as principal assistant and advisor to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe in all military and politico-military matters affecting the organization, training, readiness and employment of the multi-national air forces assigned to Allied Command Europe, he demonstrated a high degree of professional competence and leadership. His coordination of plans for the support of Allied Command Europe by the strategic air forces of the United States and the United Kingdom reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    May 1945 – May 1946
    War Department, General Orders No. 134 (1946)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Samuel Egbert Anderson (ASN: 0-17244/92A), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility. Major General Anderson, as Chief of Staff, Continental Air Forces, and later as Army Air Forces Member of the Joint Strategic Survey Committee, performed meritorious and distinguished service in the United States from May 1945 to May 1946. In the development of plans and policies for the reorganization, re-training, re-manning and re-equipping of the combat and service organizations incident to the Army Air Forces re-deployment program, he demonstrated an exceptional knowledge of operational techniques, training problems and manning requirements. He then further supplied his broad knowledge and experience in the field of aviation, in rendering valuable assistance to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and in skillfully advising United States military representatives in the United Nations Organization. By his distinguished service, Major General Anderson contributed greatly to the operations and continued success of the Army Air Forces.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (General Staff Corps)

    Division:

    Allied Air Forces in the Southwest Pacific Area

    Action Date:

    June 9, 1942
    Headquarters, Allied Air Forces in the Southwest Pacific Area, General Orders No. 12 (June 18, 1942)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (General Staff Corps) Samuel Egbert Anderson (ASN: 0-17244/92A), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action in the vicinity of Port Moresby and Salamaua, New Guinea, on 9 June 1942. While on a mission of obtaining information in the Southwest Pacific Area, Colonel Anderson, in order to obtain personal knowledge of combat conditions, volunteered as an observer on a hazardous aerial combat mission over hostile positions in New Guinea. While on this mission, the four united States planes were intercepted by eight hostile fighters, and engaged them in combat. In spite of the enemy numerical superiority, the bombs were dropped on the target at Salamaua and our planes, after twenty-nine minutes of combat in which all planes were repeatedly hit, returned to their base. Throughout the combat, Colonel Anderson displayed coolness in spite of extreme danger. As a result of this gallant action he was able to obtain and bring back valuable information.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    May 1945 – February 1946
    War Department, General Orders No. 48 (June 23, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Samuel Egbert Anderson (ASN: 0-17244/92A), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during the period from May 1945 to February 1946. General Anderson, as Chief of Staff, Continental Air Forces, was responsible for the development of plans and policies which resulted in reorganizing, retraining, re-manning and re-equipping of combat and service organizations to meet the Army Air Forces redeployment programs. Later as Army Air Forces Member of the Joint Strategic Survey Committee, General Anderson applied his wide knowledge and experience in providing valuable assistance to the Joint Chiefs of Staff in arriving at decisions of highest importance, implementing the field of long range strategy and policy. He assisted in providing the means for negotiating peace settlements in Europe and Asia and his advice to military representatives of the United States in the United Nations Organization has proven invaluable. Major General Anderson’s distinguished services have reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.