Earl E. Anderson - World War II

World War II

With the outbreak of World War II, Anderson and the Yorktown were transferred to the Pacific where they participated in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign, the Salamaua-Lae campaign, and the Battles of the Coral Sea and Midway. He was serving on the Yorktown when it was sunk during the Battle of Midway. During this period of time he was promoted to first lieutenant in December 1941 and captain in May 1942.

Following his rescue from the Yorktown Anderson returned to the United States where he served briefly with Marine Corps Base San Diego, California, and then with the 2nd Marine Division.

He was ordered to flight training at Naval Air Station Dallas, Texas in the spring of 1943. He was promoted to major in May 1943 and was awarded the gold wings of a naval aviator at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida in October 1943. His next assignment was as a flight instructor at Marine Corps Air Station Edenton, North Carolina. He remained there until December 1944, when he returned to duty in the Pacific Area and assumed command of Marine Bomber Squadron 443. He later served as the executive officer of Marine Aircraft Group 61 (MAG-61) in the consolidation of the Northern Solomons and the recapture of the Philippines.