In the summer of 1952, Anderson was ordered to Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, where he served as the executive officer for Marine Aircraft Group 16 until the spring of 1953 when he was ordered to Korea. In Korea, Anderson was the commanding officer, Marine Observation Squadron 6 (VMO-6), and later became the assistant chief of staff G-1, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Upon his return to the United States, he was assigned as the executive officer and then commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 26.