Walter Stratton Anderson
Vice Admiral Walter Stratton Anderson, (4 October, 1881 – 24 October, 1981) served in the United States Navy.
Life & Career
Anderson was born in Illinois and was appointed to the Naval Academy from the same state, graduating with the Class of 1903. He was promoted to the rank of Ensign on 3 February, 1905,[1] and to the rank of Lieutenant on 3 February, 1908.[2]
In 1911 Anderson received his first command, armed yacht Yankton, for a brief tour of about four months.[3] He had several assignments on the staff of various flag officers, and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander on 26 August, 1916. That same year, he joined the commissioning crew of battleship Arizona, remaining aboard throughout World War I.[4] He was promoted to the temporary rank of Commander on 15 October, 1917, with the rank being made permanent on 14 April, 1920.[5][6]
In 1922, Anderson assumed command of destroyer Kidder and by 1924 commanded a division of destroyers.[7][8] There followed a series of sea and shore assignments, highlighted when he was promoted to the rank of Captain on 16 November, 1925.[9]
Anderson's most significant assignments came in the 1930's and 1940's. These included command of battleship West Virginia from 1932 to 1933,[10] service as Naval Attache to London from 1934 to 1937, during which time Anderson was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral on 1 July, 1936,[11], and appointment as Director of Naval Intelligence from 1939 to late 1940.[12]
In 1941 Anderson returned to sea as Commander Battleships, Pacific Fleet and was present at the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December, 1941. In 1942 he went ashore to chair the Board of Inspection and Survey, and in 1944 became Commander of the Gulf Sea Frontier, remaining in the post until October 1945 and being promoted to the temporary rank of Vice Admiral on 3 April, 1945.[13]
Anderson was placed on the Retired List, as a Vice Admiral on 1 March, 1946.[14] He enjoyed a long retirement, and at his death was the oldest living graduate of the Naval Academy.
See Also
Bibliography
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Orle W. Fowler |
Captain of U.S.S. Yankton 18 Dec, 1911[15] – Apr, 1912 |
Succeeded by Samuel W. Bryant |
| Preceded by Wilfred E. Clarke |
Captain of U.S.S. Kidder before 1 Jan, 1923[16] – before 1 Jul, 1924[17] |
Succeeded by Chauncey A. Lucas |
| Preceded by Edward T. Constien |
Captain of U.S.S. West Virginia 12 Jan, 1932[18] – Apr, 1933 |
Succeeded by Mervyn S. Bennion |
| Preceded by Albert P. Niblack |
Director of the Office of Naval Intelligence 5 Jun, 1939[19] – Dec, 1940 |
Succeeded by ? |
Footnotes
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1906. pp. 40-41.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1909. pp. 34-35.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1912. p. 32.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1917. pp. 24-25.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1918. p. 22.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1922. p. 20.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1923. pp. 20-21.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1924. pp. 24-25.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1926. pp. 18-19.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1933. pp. 18-19.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1937. pp. 16-17.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1939. pp. 18-19.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1945. p. 6.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1947. p. 431.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1912. p. 32.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1923. pp. 20-21.
- ↑ Navy Directory 1 July, 1924 p. 2
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1933. pp. 18-19.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1920. pp. 10-11.
