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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Orvil Arson Anderson, U.S. Army Air Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight as a Pilot and Assistant Scientific Observer of the National Geographic Society-Army Air Corps Stratosphere Balloon Flight which started from the vicinity of Rapid City, South Dakota, on 11 November 1935, and successfully landed near White Lake, South Dakota. with the scientific equipment and the valuable records it contained intact. In performing this flight, Captain Anderson distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement, coolness, and confidence in piloting the largest and most heavily equipped balloon ever flown to a greater height than had previously been attained by man.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    May 1945 – April 1946
    War Department General Orders No. 147 (1946)

    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 Major General Orvil Arson Anderson (AFSN: 32A/ASN: 0-11479), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from May 1945 to April 1946. As Chief of the Military Analysis Division of the United States Strategic Bombing Survey in Europe, as Chief of the Army and Army Air Branch of the Military Studies Division of the Survey in the Pacific, and as Chairman of the Board of Military Advisors of the Survey in both Theaters, Major General Anderson used his great professional skill, knowledge and executive ability unsparingly and tirelessly in the attainment of the Survey’s objectives. He took part in field investigations, conducted high level interrogations and compiled data to produce outstanding reports of incalculable value to the Survey and to the future planning of the national defense.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    World War II
    War Department, General Orders No. 46 (August 16, 1943)

    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 Brigadier General Orvil Arson Anderson (AFSN: 32A/ASN: 0-11479), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as a member of the Staff of the Commanding General, Army Air Forces, during World War II. During this period he displayed exceptional ability and a high degree of professional knowledge in planning and guiding the tremendous expansion of the United States Army air Forces. He contributed materially to the efficient planning, scheduling, and control of programs for the attainment of the mission of the Army Air Forces and the translating of such programs into overall plans for execution. General Anderson’s intelligent appraisal of the requirements of the changing situation, his keen foresight, sound judgment, and indefatigable zeal to accomplish an assignment of tremendous importance in the shortest possible time reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    June 1944 – April 1945
    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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Orvil Arson Anderson (AFSN: 32A/ASN: 0-11479), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Deputy Commander for Operations, EIGHTH Air Force, from June 1944 to April 1945. Displaying rare professional skill, General Anderson planned and supervised the operations of the Air Force during the crucial period when its mission was to maintain air superiority and supremacy over the German Air Force while simultaneously continuing the basic mission of destroying the enemy production and transportation facilities so vital to the German war machine all of which activities were designated to make possible successful ground operations with a minimum of loss. He coordinated and carefully timed the attacks against enemy airfields within striking distance of the front to cover the Allied armies crossing the Rhine, and by close cooperation with the Royal Air Force and the United States NINTH Air Force, sealed off the Ruhr by the destruction of enemy railroad bridges. The ability, foresight and astute judgment displayed by General Anderson contributed materially to the successful outcome of the campaign. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major General Anderson and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Corps

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    July 29, 1934
    War Department, General Orders No. 3 (1935)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Orvil Arson Anderson, U.S. Army Air Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. Captain Anderson was scientific observer of the National Geographic Society Army Air Corps Stratosphere Balloon Flight, which took of from the vicinity of Rapid City, South Dakota, July 29, 1934, and landed near Loomis, Nebraska, that same date. He assisted in piloting the balloon into the stratosphere to an altitude of 60,613 feet, and in making continuous scientific observations en route, and when the balloon became disabled through circumstances beyond human control, did attempt, under most adverse and hazardous conditions, to land successfully the disabled aircraft in order to preserve the scientific records that had been obtained. By the exercise of cool judgment and foresight under these conditions, certain scientific records were saved and the disabled aircraft was abandoned only when it was clearly evident not to do so would prove disastrous to human life.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 162 (September 17, 1943)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Brigadier General Orvil Arson Anderson (AFSN: 32A/ASN: 0-11479), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Chief of Air War Plans Division, Headquarters US Army Air Forces, attached to the EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, in 1943. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Brigadier General Anderson, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.