Walter Stratton Anderson
Walter Stratton Anderson (October 4, 1881 – October 24, 1981) was a Vice Admiral of the United States Navy, who served as the Executive officer of in World War I and as Commander Battleships, Battle Force in the 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 , flagship of the European Squadron. On February 3, 1905, he was commissioned ensign. Early career In June 1905, Anderson was ordered to . 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 Galvestons company in the battalion sent to Paris from the United States ships. 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, Pacific Fleet. From August to November 1908 he served as aide on the staff of Rear Admiral B. Harbor, USN. He joined at Manila, 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. In December 1911, Anderson (then in the grade of lieutenant) assumed command of , 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. He then served on board from December 1912 to June 1913. Following that assignment, Anderson served in from June 1913 to December 1914, seeing action in Santo Domingo and also at the 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 battleships of the earliest director fire systems. World War I In May 1916, Anderson's orders were in connection with fitting out . He served on board Arizona from her commissioning in October 1916 until November 1919, first as Gunnery Officer, later as executive officer. While serving in Arizona, he cruised out to sea from Portland, England, in November 1918 to meet , then carrying President Woodrow Wilson, and escorted that