Earl E. Anderson - Post-World War II

Post-World War II

In November 1945, Anderson returned to the United States and served in a wide variety of post-war assignments including as a student at the Command and Staff School, Marine Corps Schools (MCS), Quantico, Virginia; Administration Officer, Division of Aviation, HQMC, and as the Administration Assistant to the Assistant Commandant for Air, HQMC.

He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in July 1949 and assigned to the Office of the Judge Advocate General, where he served in various branches while a post-graduate student at The George Washington University Law School.

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, and later became the Assistant Chief of Staff G-I, 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.

During May 1956, Anderson was assigned to MCS, Quantico, Virginia, where he served first as an instructor, then Chief of the Air Section, Marine Corps Educational Center.

He was promoted to Colonel in October 1957 and, during the summer of 1959, was ordered to the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. He graduated in June 1960 and was ordered to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, where he served as the Staff Legal Officer until July 1961. He then assumed command of Marine Aircraft Group 36, Santa Ana, California, where his group participated in more than 13 separate amphibious and field exercises.

In June 1963 he became Chief of Staff, Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG), Vietnam and served in that capacity until the summer of 1964, when he returned to the U.S. For his service with the MAAG, he was awarded a Legion of Merit and gold stars in lieu of his 7th and 8th Air Medals.

In the late summer of 1964, Anderson became the first Program Coordinator for the Marine Tactical Data System, the largest R&D effort in USMC history. He was promoted to Brigadier General on January 3, 1966 and, in February, he assumed duty as Deputy Chief of Staff (RD&S), HQMC, the first aviator to be assigned that position. He also continued as the Marine Corps Tactical Data System Program Coordinator. For that duty he was awarded a gold star in lieu of a 2nd Legion of Merit.

In December 1967 he returned to the Far East where he assumed duty as the Chief of Staff III Marine Amphibious Force - Republic of Vietnam. He held that assignment until January 1969 and for his service was awarded a Navy Distinguished Service Medal. He also was awarded a National Order of Vietnam (5th Class), the Vietnamese Army Distinguished Service Medal, a Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and a Korean Chungmu Medal. While serving in Vietnam he was promoted to Major General on September 1, 1968.

Upon his return to the United States he reported to HQMC where he served briefly as Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff. In March 1969 he was reassigned as Deputy Director, Personnel HQMC and the Head of the Personnel Department, the first aviator to be assigned to those billets.

In 1970 he was appointed as the USMC member on the Board of Directors of the United States Olympic Committee and, in March 1971, was designated by the Secretary of Defense as the United States member of the Executive Committee of the Counsel International du Sports Militaire. In 1974 he was elected by the General Assembly to be the first Vice President. He served as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Armed Forces Relief and Benefit Association from 1972 to 1975.

He was promoted to Lieutenant General in June 1971 and assumed duty as Commanding General FMFLant, Norfolk, Virginia in July 1971.

In April of the following year he was named the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and promoted to General. At the age of 53 he became the youngest active duty Marine to be promoted to the rank of 4-star general in the history of the Marine Corps.