Samuel E. Anderson
Encyclopedia
General Samuel Egbert Anderson (January 6, 1906 – September 12, 1982) was a United States Air Force
four star general who served as commander of the Air Material Command.
He was born in Greensboro, North Carolina
, in 1906. He graduated from the United States Military Academy
at West Point, New York, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Coast Artillery upon graduation on June 9, 1928.
Assigned immediately to the Air Corps Primary Flying School, Brooks Field
, Texas, Lieutenant Anderson completed the course a year later. He then proceeded to Kelly Field, Texas, to attend the Observation Course at the Air Corps Advanced Flying School. After graduating on October 15, 1929, he joined the 5th Observation Squadron at Mitchel Field, Long Island, New York. On November 1, 1929, he transferred to the Air Corps.
From September 1932 to February 1939, Anderson saw service at Chanute Field, Rantoul, Illinois, acted as flying instructor and performed various duties at Kelly Field, Texas.
Ordered to Wheeler Field, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, in March 1939, he became commanding officer of the Sixth Pursuit Squadron. In November 1940 he was designed Wing S-3, plans and training officer, 18th Composite Wing.
Returning to Langley Field, Virginia in May 1941, he served in various capacities. In August 1941, Anderson was brought into the Air War Plans Division
where he helped author AWPD-1, the American air war plan which greatly contributed to the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany
. In October 1941 Anderson transferred to the Office of the Assistant Chief Air Staff, Headquarters Air Force, Washington D.C.
Anderson's next assignment was with the Operations Division, War Department General Staff, Washington, D.C. where he served from March 1942 until May 1943.
During this period, he saw combat in the Pacific Theater, and in June 1942 was awarded the Silver Star
"for gallantry in action in the vicinity of Port Moresby
in Salamaua
, New Guinea
."
Transferring to the European Theater of Operations in May 1943 as administrative inspector of the Third Bombardment Wing (Medium), he assumed command of the organization July 12. Two months later, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
"for extraordinary achievement while leading his Medium Bombardment Wing on two combat missions over enemy-occupied Europe on 16 July and 2 August 1943."
In October 1943, General Anderson was designated commanding general of the Ninth Bomber Command (Medium) of the Ninth Air Force
.
During his European Theater tour of duty, General Anderson headed various groups and commanded the Ninth Bomber Command (Medium). During his time as commander, 10 of the 11 groups in his command were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.
Returning to the United States in May 1945, General Anderson became chief of staff, Continental Air Force, Bolling Field, Washington, D.C.
In June 1945, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for unusual ability and conspicuous technical proficiency in activating, developing, training and directing the operations of the Ninth Bombardment Division (Medium) during the period of July 1943 to December 1944 while serving as commanding general.
In February 1946, he became a member of the Joint Strategic Survey Committee, Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C.
In February 1948, he was appointed director of plans and operations in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at U.S. Air Force Headquarters and served in that capacity until August 1950.
From August 1950 to May 1953, he served as commanding general of the Eighth Air Force
with Headquarters at Carswell Air Force Base
, Texas.
On May 31, 1953 he relieved Lieutenant General Glenn O. Barcus as commanding general of the Fifth Air Force
in Korea. Upon assuming command of the Fifth Air Force, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general.
In May 1954 he was assigned as director, Weapons Systems Evaluation Group (Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense-Research and Development). He held this position until his assignment as commander of Air Research and Development Command August 1, 1957.
He was promoted to his four-star rank on March 10, 1959 and named on the same day as commander of the Air Material Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
, Ohio, remaining in this capacity upon the redesignation of AMC to the Air Force Logistics Command
on April 1, 1961. Anderson retired from the Air Force on August 1, 1963, and died on September 12, 1982. He was buried at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery
.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
four star general who served as commander of the Air Material Command.
He was born in Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S...
, in 1906. He graduated from the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
at West Point, New York, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Coast Artillery upon graduation on June 9, 1928.
Assigned immediately to the Air Corps Primary Flying School, Brooks Field
Brooks City-Base
Brooks City-Base was a United States Air Force facility located in San Antonio, Texas, southeast of Downtown San Antonio.In 2002 Brooks Air Force Base was renamed Brooks City-Base when the property was conveyed to the Brooks Development Authority as part of a unique project between local, state,...
, Texas, Lieutenant Anderson completed the course a year later. He then proceeded to Kelly Field, Texas, to attend the Observation Course at the Air Corps Advanced Flying School. After graduating on October 15, 1929, he joined the 5th Observation Squadron at Mitchel Field, Long Island, New York. On November 1, 1929, he transferred to the Air Corps.
From September 1932 to February 1939, Anderson saw service at Chanute Field, Rantoul, Illinois, acted as flying instructor and performed various duties at Kelly Field, Texas.
Ordered to Wheeler Field, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, in March 1939, he became commanding officer of the Sixth Pursuit Squadron. In November 1940 he was designed Wing S-3, plans and training officer, 18th Composite Wing.
Returning to Langley Field, Virginia in May 1941, he served in various capacities. In August 1941, Anderson was brought into the Air War Plans Division
Air War Plans Division
The Air War Plans Division was an American military organization established to make long-term plans for war. Headed by Harold L. George, the unit was tasked in July 1941 to provide President Franklin D...
where he helped author AWPD-1, the American air war plan which greatly contributed to the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
. In October 1941 Anderson transferred to the Office of the Assistant Chief Air Staff, Headquarters Air Force, Washington D.C.
Anderson's next assignment was with the Operations Division, War Department General Staff, Washington, D.C. where he served from March 1942 until May 1943.
During this period, he saw combat in the Pacific Theater, and in June 1942 was awarded the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
"for gallantry in action in the vicinity of Port Moresby
Port Moresby
Port Moresby , or Pot Mosbi in Tok Pisin, is the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea . It is located on the shores of the Gulf of Papua, on the southeastern coast of the island of New Guinea, which made it a prime objective for conquest by the Imperial Japanese forces during 1942–43...
in Salamaua
Salamaua
Salamaua was a small town situated on the north-eastern coastline of Papua New Guinea part of Morobe province. The settlement was built on a minor isthmus between the coast with mountains on the inland side and a headland...
, New Guinea
New Guinea
New Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
."
Transferring to the European Theater of Operations in May 1943 as administrative inspector of the Third Bombardment Wing (Medium), he assumed command of the organization July 12. Two months later, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
"for extraordinary achievement while leading his Medium Bombardment Wing on two combat missions over enemy-occupied Europe on 16 July and 2 August 1943."
In October 1943, General Anderson was designated commanding general of the Ninth Bomber Command (Medium) of the Ninth Air Force
Ninth Air Force
The Ninth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina....
.
During his European Theater tour of duty, General Anderson headed various groups and commanded the Ninth Bomber Command (Medium). During his time as commander, 10 of the 11 groups in his command were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.
Returning to the United States in May 1945, General Anderson became chief of staff, Continental Air Force, Bolling Field, Washington, D.C.
In June 1945, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for unusual ability and conspicuous technical proficiency in activating, developing, training and directing the operations of the Ninth Bombardment Division (Medium) during the period of July 1943 to December 1944 while serving as commanding general.
In February 1946, he became a member of the Joint Strategic Survey Committee, Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C.
In February 1948, he was appointed director of plans and operations in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at U.S. Air Force Headquarters and served in that capacity until August 1950.
From August 1950 to May 1953, he served as commanding general of the Eighth Air Force
Eighth Air Force
The Eighth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana....
with Headquarters at Carswell Air Force Base
Carswell Air Force Base
Carswell Air Force Base, was a United States Air Force Strategic Air Command base located about northwest central of Fort Worth, Texas, United States; the air force base is mostly within the Fort Worth city limits and has portions within Westworth and White Settlement...
, Texas.
On May 31, 1953 he relieved Lieutenant General Glenn O. Barcus as commanding general of the Fifth Air Force
Fifth Air Force
The Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....
in Korea. Upon assuming command of the Fifth Air Force, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general.
In May 1954 he was assigned as director, Weapons Systems Evaluation Group (Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense-Research and Development). He held this position until his assignment as commander of Air Research and Development Command August 1, 1957.
He was promoted to his four-star rank on March 10, 1959 and named on the same day as commander of the Air Material Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base in Greene and Montgomery counties in the state of Ohio. It includes both Wright and Patterson Fields, which were originally Wilbur Wright Field and Fairfield Aviation General Supply Depot. Patterson Field is located approximately...
, Ohio, remaining in this capacity upon the redesignation of AMC to the Air Force Logistics Command
Air Force Logistics Command
Air Force Logistics Command was a United States Air Force command. Its headquarters was located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio...
on April 1, 1961. Anderson retired from the Air Force on August 1, 1963, and died on September 12, 1982. He was buried at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery
United States Air Force Academy Cemetery
The United States Air Force Academy Cemetery is a cemetery at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.-Notable interments:* William J. Crawford, World War II Medal of Honor recipient...
.