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{{Short description|United States Navy admiral}}
{{Infobox military person
|name = Walter Stratton Anderson
|image =Walter S. Anderson.jpg
|caption =
|birth_date = October 4, 1881
|death_date = {{Death date and age|1981|10|24|1881|10|4}}
|placeofburial_label = Place of burial
|placeofburial = [[Arlington National Cemetery]]
|birth_place = [[Carlinville, Illinois]], US
|death_place =
|placeofburial_coordinates = 
|nickname =
|allegiance={{flag|United States of America}}
|branch = [[Image:United States Department of the Navy Seal.svg|25px]] [[United States Navy]]
|serviceyears = 1903–1946
|rank = [[File:US-O9 insignia.svg|40px]] [[Vice admiral (United States)|Vice admiral]]
|servicenumber= 0-1827
|unit =
|commands = {{USS|Yankton|1893|6}} {{USS|Sinclair|DD-275|6}} {{USS|Kidder|DD-319|6}} {{USS|West Virginia|BB-48|6}} Cruiser Division 4, Scouting Force Battleships, Pacific Fleet & Battleship Division 4 [[Gulf Sea Frontier]] & [[Seventh Naval District]]
|battles = [[World War I]] [[World War II]]
|awards = [[Legion of Merit]] [[Navy and Marine Corps Medal]]
|relations =
|laterwork =
}}
'''Walter Stratton Anderson''' (October 4, 1881 – October 24, 1981) was a [[Vice admiral (United States)|Vice Admiral]] of the [[United States Navy]], who served as the [[Executive officer]] of {{USS|Arizona|BB-39|6}} in [[World War I]] and as [[Commander Battleships, Battle Force]] in the [[United States Pacific Fleet|Pacific Fleet]], and of the [[Gulf Sea Frontier]], during [[World War II]].

==Biography==
Anderson, the son of William E. P. Anderson and Nellie Douglas Hamilton, was born on October 4, 1881, in [[Carlinville, Illinois]]. He graduated from the [[United States Naval Academy]] "with distinction" in 1903. As part of his required sea service as a [[midshipman]], he served on board {{USS|Brooklyn|CA-3|6}}, [[flagship]] of the [[European Squadron]]. On February 3, 1905, he was commissioned [[Ensign (rank)|ensign]].<ref name="Naval Historical Center">{{Cite web
|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/ar/alfa/anderson_ws.htm
|title=Papers of Vice Admiral Walter Stratton Anderson
|work=history.navy.mil
|access-date=16 June 2010
|archive-date=2 March 2013
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302201145/http://www.history.navy.mil/ar/alfa/anderson_ws.htm
|url-status=dead
}} {{source attribution}}</ref>

===Early career===
In June 1905, Anderson was ordered to {{USS|Galveston|CL-19|6}}. On board ''Galveston'' Anderson sailed to [[France]] as part of the squadron under the command of Rear Admiral [[Charles Dwight Sigsbee]], USN, to retrieve the body of [[John Paul Jones]] for interment in the [[crypt]] under the [[Naval Academy Chapel]]. On that occasion, Anderson commanded ''Galveston''{{'}}s company in the battalion sent to [[Paris]] from the [[United States]] ships.<ref name="Naval Historical Center"/>

From December 1905 until May 1907, Anderson enrolled in postgraduate instruction in ordnance at the [[Washington Navy Yard]], and at the plants of various private industries. Following his completion of the program, he was ordered to [[Asiatic Station]] as an aide and flag secretary to Rear Admiral Joseph N. Hemphill, USN, Commander, Third Squadron, [[United States Pacific Fleet|Pacific Fleet]]. From August to November 1908 he served as aide on the staff of Rear Admiral B. Harbor, USN. He joined {{USS|Nebraska|BB-14|6}} at [[Manila]], [[Philippines|Philippine Islands]] in November 1908, and made the remainder of the cruise around the world with the [[Great White Fleet]]. In November 1909, he was ordered to the [[Naval Torpedo Station]], [[Newport, Rhode Island]], to work with torpedoes, mines, explosives, and organize the planning and stock records departments for a period of two years.<ref name="Naval Historical Center"/>

In December 1911, Anderson (then in the grade of lieutenant) assumed command of {{USS|Yankton|1893|6}}, the Commander in Chief's [[dispatch boat]] and small relief flagship. From April 1912 to January 1913, he served as aide and [[flag lieutenant]] on the staff of Rear Admiral Hugh Osterhaus, USN, Commander in Chief, [[Atlantic Fleet (United States)|Atlantic Fleet]]. He then served on board {{USS|Utah|BB-31|6}} from December 1912 to June 1913. Following that assignment, Anderson served in {{USS|Des Moines|C-15|6}} from June 1913 to December 1914, seeing action in [[Santo Domingo]] and also at the [[United States occupation of Veracruz|occupation of Vera Cruz]]. Anderson then returned to New York to serve as Ordnance Superintendent in the Navy Yard. His responsibilities included supervision of ordnance work on all classes of ships, including the installation on [[battleship]]s of the earliest [[Fire-control system|director fire systems]].<ref name="Naval Historical Center"/>

===World War I===
In May 1916, Anderson's orders were in connection with fitting out {{USS|Arizona|BB-39|6}}. He served on board ''Arizona'' from her commissioning in October 1916 until November 1919, first as [[gun|Gunnery Officer]], later as executive officer. While serving in ''Arizona'', he cruised out to sea from [[Portland, England]], in November 1918 to meet {{USS|George Washington|ID-3018|6}}, then carrying President [[Woodrow Wilson]], and escorted that transport to [[Brest, France]].<ref name="Naval Historical Center"/>

===Inter-war period===
''Arizona'' toured European waters in the spring of 1919, visiting [[Smyrna]], [[Asia Minor]], and [[Constantinople]] (the first visit of the United States battleship to that city). On that cruise, Anderson was present when the [[Occupation of İzmir|Greeks took Smyrna]].<ref name="Naval Historical Center"/>

Anderson served as Officer in Charge of the Navy Recruiting Bureau, [[New York City|New York, New York]], from November 1919 until November 1920. The function of this large printing establishment, moving picture, and photographic exchange was to publicize the Navy and inspire large numbers of needed [[enlistment]]s following [[World War I]]'s demobilization. Following that term of duty, Anderson enrolled in the senior course at the [[Naval War College]] in Newport, Rhode Island.<ref name="Naval Historical Center"/>

From 1922 until 1924, Anderson held command of {{USS|Sinclair|DD-275|6}} and later {{USS|Kidder|DD-319|6}}, with duty also as Commander, Divisions 30 and 34, Destroyer Squadrons, Pacific Fleet. From July 1924 until July 1927, Anderson acted as head of the Department of Ordnance and Gunnery at the [[United States Naval Academy|Naval Academy]], [[Annapolis, Maryland]]. Additionally, he organized the first of all Naval Reserve Officer's Training Corps Units at [[St. John's College, Annapolis]], Maryland.<ref name="Naval Historical Center"/>

Anderson served as assistant chief of staff and operations officer to Admiral H. A. Wiley, USN, Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet, from August 1927 until May 1929 after a short assignment on board {{USS|Texas|BB-35|6}}. On May 31, 1929, Anderson assumed the position of Supervisor of [[New York Harbor]] until May 23, 1930. He then served as Officer in Charge of the [[Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot|Naval Ammunition Depot]], [[Hingham, Massachusetts]], from May 1930 until January 1932.<ref name="Naval Historical Center"/>

Anderson commanded {{USS|West Virginia|BB-48|6}} from January 1932 until April 1933. ''West Virginia'' won the [[Battle Effectiveness Award|battle efficiency pennant]] for the entirety of his command, a record that stands unique for a battleship and for a captain.<ref name="Naval Historical Center"/>

Anderson served as [[Naval Attaché]] at the American Embassy, [[London]], [[England]], from March 1934 until February 1937. During the term of that duty he was promoted to [[Rear admiral (United States)|rear admiral]] in July 1936. His assignment in London saw the 25th Anniversary Jubilee of [[George V of the United Kingdom|George V]], the death of George V, the [[abdication]] of [[Edward VIII of the United Kingdom|Edward VIII]], and the [[London Naval Conference 1935]]. Anderson attended the conference as a member of the American Delegation. Upon his return to the United States, he assumed command of (heavy) Cruiser Division 4, Scouting Force, with {{USS|Northampton|CA-26|6}} as his flagship. In that command, Anderson became the first flag officer of the U.S. Navy to visit [[Bogota]], [[Colombia]]. He received the thanks of the Colombian government for services rendered upon that occasion.<ref name="Naval Historical Center"/>

===World War II===
[[File:NH 43095 Rear Admiral Walter S. Anderson, USN, greeted by Captain H.H.J. Benson, USN, July 1944.jpg|thumb|right|Anderson (right) is greeted by chief of staff of Gulf Sea Frontier, Captain [[Howard H. J. Benson]] in July 1944.]]
From June 1939 until December 1940, Anderson acted as Director of the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]], Navy Department, [[Washington, D.C.]] While in that detail he greatly enlarged the Naval Intelligence Service in preparation for war. He also reported personally and daily to President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] for a considerable period and served, by the President's order, as a member of a special intelligence committee along with the Director of Military Intelligence and the Director of the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]].<ref name="Naval Historical Center"/>

In January 1941, Anderson assumed command of Battleships, Battle Force, and also performed additional duty as Commander, Battleship Division 4. In April 1941 the designation of that command was changed to Battleships, Pacific Fleet ([[ComBatPac]]), and additional duty as Commander, Battleship Division 4. Flying his flag on board {{USS|Maryland|BB-46|6}}, he was present at [[Pearl Harbor]] when [[Attack on Pearl Harbor|the Japanese attacked]] on December 7, 1941.<ref name="Naval Historical Center"/>

On September 28, 1942, Anderson reported for duty as President of the [[Board of Inspection and Survey]], Navy Department, Washington, D.C., a position that was responsible for the preliminary trial, inspection, and acceptance of all [[Marine vessel|vessel]]s and [[aircraft]] for use by the Navy.<ref name="Naval Historical Center"/>

On July 17, 1944, Anderson assumed duty as Commander, [[Gulf Sea Frontier]], and Commandant, [[Seventh Naval District]], with headquarters in [[Miami, Florida]]. In that capacity, Anderson collaborated with the Cuban and Mexican Navies, and with the [[Royal Air Force]] in the [[Bahamas]] for cooperative operations in the waters of the Gulf Sea Frontier. The responsibilities of that command included the supervision and general direction, in its operational capacity, of the United States Naval Mission to [[Cuba]], and of such vessels of the Cuban Navy as were placed under his general operational direction. On April 3, 1945, Anderson was appointed to the rank of vice admiral. On October 24, 1945, Anderson was relieved as Commander Gulf Sea Frontier and Commandant, Seventh Naval District. He retired on March 1, 1946.<ref name="Naval Historical Center"/> For his service in the [[World War II]], Anderson was awarded with the [[Legion of Merit]].{{citation needed|date=October 2014}}

===Death===
Vice Admiral Anderson died on October 24, 1981, at one hundred years old. At that time he was the oldest living graduate of the [[U.S. Naval Academy]]. Anderson's wife of fifty-six years died on June 15, 1966. His son, Walter Stratton Anderson Jr., died in 1977. Survivors included his two grandchildren Virginia Randolph Anderson and Thomas Stratton Anderson.<ref name="Naval Historical Center"/> Walter Anderson and his wife are buried at [[Arlington National Cemetery]].<ref>[https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/#/arlington-national/search/results/1/CghhbmRlcnNvbhIGd2FsdGVyGgFz/ Burial Detail: Anderson, Walter S] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016165543/https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/#/arlington-national/search/results/1/CghhbmRlcnNvbhIGd2FsdGVyGgFz/ |date=2020-10-16 }} – ANC Explorer</ref>

==Decorations==
Here is the ribbon bar of Vice admiral Walter S. Anderson:<ref>{{cite web|title=Valor awards for Walter Stratton Anderson|url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/306049|publisher=militarytimes.com|access-date=2 October 2014|archive-date=6 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006113310/http://projects.militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=306049|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|colspan="4"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}} {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Mexican Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=World War I Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=American Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
!1st Row
|colspan="7"|[[Legion of Merit]]
|colspan="6"|[[Navy and Marine Corps Medal]]
|-
!2nd Row
|colspan="4"|[[Mexican Service Medal]]
|colspan="4"|[[World War I Victory Medal (United States)|World War I Victory Medal]] with Atlantic Fleet Clasp
|colspan="4"|[[American Defense Service Medal]] with Fleet Clasp
|-
!3rd Row
|colspan="4"|[[American Campaign Medal]]
|colspan="4"|[[Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal]]
|colspan="4"|[[World War II Victory Medal (United States)|World War II Victory Medal]]
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/ar/alfa/anderson_ws.htm Papers of Vice Admiral Walter Stratton Anderson 1895-1975] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302201145/http://www.history.navy.mil/ar/alfa/anderson_ws.htm |date=2013-03-02 }}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Anderson, Walter}}
[[Category:1881 births]]
[[Category:1981 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Carlinville, Illinois]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Illinois]]
[[Category:Directors of the Office of Naval Intelligence]]
[[Category:United States Naval Academy alumni]]
[[Category:Naval War College alumni]]
[[Category:United States Navy vice admirals]]
[[Category:United States Navy personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:United States Navy World War II admirals]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Navy and Marine Corps Medal]]
[[Category:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery]]
[[Category:American men centenarians]]

Walter Stratton Anderson - Revision history

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