Department of the United States Air Force LogoBiography
                  United States Air Force060609-F-JZ507-076.JPGEffective Dates of Promotion
                      
                      General                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          March 10, 1959
            General SAMUEL  E. ANDERSONGen. S.E. Anderson was born in Greensboro, N.C., in 1906. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Coast Artillery 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 Oct. 15, 1929, he joined the 5th Observation Squadron, Mitchel Field, Long Island, N.Y. On Nov. 1, 1929, he transferred to the Air Corps.
From September 1932 to February 1939, General Anderson saw service at Chanute Field, Rantoul, Ill., 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, was designed Wing S-3, plans and training officer, 18th Composite Wing.
Returning to Langley Field, Va., in May 1941, he served in various capacities until October 1941 when he transferred to the Office of the Assistant Chief Air Staff, Headquarters Air Force, Washington D.C.
General 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 action 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). Outstanding is the fact that 10 of the 11 groups in his command were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation Badge.
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 & Development Command Aug. 1, 1957.
He was promoted to his four-star rank 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 Logistics Command April 1, 1961.
(Current as of May 1961)Department of the Air Force Logo