Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Norman
J.
Anderson

Born:

Manitowoc

, 

Wisconsin

Home:

Glendale

, 

California

Norman Anderson was commissioned through the ROTC unit at the University of California at Los Angeles in 1934. He retired as a U.S. Marine Corps Major General.

Awards Received

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    June 1, 1967 – June 22, 1968

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Norman J. Anderson (MCSN: 0-5256), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Deputy Commander for Air, III Marine Amphibious Force and as Commanding General, First Marine Aircraft Wing in the Republic of Vietnam from 1 June 1967 to 22 June 1968. As Deputy Commander for Air during a period when elements of the III Marine Amphibious Force were dramatically increased in size and complexity, his unerring judgment and ability to make sound decisions and coordinate their execution enabled the Force to integrate and employ United States Army, Air Force and Marine Corps aircraft into a cohesive, flexible force. In his capacity as Commanding General, General Anderson was directly responsible for 18,000 officers and men who manned over 400 fixed and rotary wing aircraft operating from airfields and bases throughout the I Corps Tactical Zone. He provided guidance for the overall logistical requirements which consolidated all resources into the most efficient functioning and combat oriented Marine Aircraft Wing ever to be assembled and operated. Under his distinguished leadership, fighter/attack aircraft relentlessly bombarded hostile forces while he simultaneously employed the effectiveness of the Marine Corps’ vertical envelopment and re-supply concept. He was responsible for that portion of Operation NIAGARA which re-supplied outposts around the vital Khe Sanh Base. Faced with the increased tempo of enemy activities, he judiciously reallocated and reassigned men and equipment to obtain the most effective use of assets without endangering his units’ combat capability. He directed the reorganization of the Aviation Section and the Naval Aviation Training and Operating Procedures Standardization sections into a single integrated Safety and Standardization Office to include ground safety and thereby achieved the highest safety record for the Wing since its arrival in Vietnam. By his extraordinary professionalism, dynamic leadership and devotion to duty, General Anderson upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    August 1969 – June 1972

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Norman J. Anderson (MCSN: 0-5256), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief Atlantic from August 1969 through June 1972. In addition to developing advanced planning and operational concepts for the Guantanamo Bay defense force structure, Major General Anderson served as the principal coordinator of a development program for melding the tactical air capabilities of the individual military services into a joint operational capability. In his dual role as Deputy Commander of Joint Task Force 122 and as Exercise Director for Joint Exercises EXOTIC DANCER III, IV, and V, he contributed directly to the success of these exercises which provided valuable training for participating forces and a comprehensive evaluation of the command and control capability of the Atlantic Command. By his brilliant leadership and planning and managerial abilities, Major General Anderson rendered distinguished and valuable service and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel [then Major]

    Action Date:

    August 23 – September 1, 1942
    Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 1640 (February 19, 1947)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel [then Major] Norman J. Anderson (MCSN: 0-5256), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during the period 23 August to 1 September 1942. Lieutenant Colonel Anderson, while serving as pilot of a Marine transport plane during the first mass transfer of a squadron of Marine transport aircraft from the United States to the South Pacific Area, displayed keen judgment, exceptional skill, and superior airmanship despite the great hazards of long over-water flights, lack of weather reports, communication facilities and navigational aids. His determination and devotion to duty were instrumental in the successful accomplishment of the mission and his actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighter Squadron 323 (VMF-323)

    Action Date:

    September 21 – 28, 1950

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Norman J. Anderson (MCSN: 0-5256), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with Marine Fighter Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE (VMF-323) in the Korean Theater during the period 21 September to 28 September 1950. As a Pilot of a fighter plane, Lieutenant Colonel Anderson participated in thirty-five strike missions over enemy territory.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Batallion:

    Marine Bombing Squadron 423 (VMB-423)

    Action Date:

    November 16 – 27, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Norman J. Anderson (MCSN: 0-5256), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Bismarck Archipelago Islands Area from 16 November to 27 November 1944. Lieutenant Colonel Anderson completed his fortieth flight in a combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective or where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Batallion:

    Marine Bombing Squadron 423 (VMB-423)

    Action Date:

    March 22, 1944 – April 17, 1945
    Commanding General 1st Marine Aircraft Wing: Serial A-639 (January 3, 1946)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Norman J. Anderson (MCSN: 0-5256), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Bismarck Archipelago Area from 22 March 1944 to 17 April 1945. Lieutenant Colonel Anderson completed twenty flights in a combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective or where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred and on one or more of these missions such enemy opposition was encountered. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Regiment:

    Marine Aircraft Group 33 (MAG-33)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Badoeng Strait

    Action Date:

    August 17, 1950
    Commander Naval Forces Far East: Serial 912 (February 1, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Norman J. Anderson (MCSN: 0-5256), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Pilot of a Fighter Plane and Deputy Commander of Marine Aircraft Group THIRTY-THREE (MAG-33), attached to the U.S.S. GBADOENG STRAIT, in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea, on 17 August 1950. Organizing and leading a well planned aerial attack against an enemy held bridgehead across the Naktong River, south of Taegu, Korea, Lieutenant Colonel Anderson succeeded in clearing the area for later occupation by Marine ground forces. When advancing Marine troops became pinned down by intense gunfire from enemy positions along a ridge line, he daringly marked out enemy targets for his aerial attack group despite the defiladed and camouflaged nature of the hostile positions which necessitated the execution of extremely low passes directly over fire-spurting enemy guns. After the bombs and rockets of his aerial group were expended, he led his flight in bold strafing attacks against a cornered and desperately fighting enemy in support of advancing Marine troops. His cool courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unswerving devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Colonel Anderson and the United States Naval Service.