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Adapted from "Captain Clyde B. Anderson, United States Navy" [biography, dated 24 June 1968] in Modern Biographical Files collection, Navy Department Library.

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  • Biography
Wars & Conflicts
  • Korean Conflict 1950-1954
  • World War II 1939-1945
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Clyde Bertram Anderson

14 July 1920 - 

PDF Version [2.1MB]

Clyde Bertram Anderson was born in Newport, Rhode Island, on 14 July 1920, son of Gustave and Alma M. (Carlson) Anderson (both now deceased). He attended Rogers High School in Newport, and entered the US Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, on 13 July 1939, after seventeen months of enlisted service in the US Naval Reserve, during which he had training with the Ninth Division, Fleet Naval Reserve. Graduated with the Class of 1943 on 19 June 1942 (accelerated course due to National Emergency), he was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Science and commissioned Ensign in the US Navy. He subsequently progressed to the rank of Captain, to date from 1 July 1962.

After graduation from the Naval Academy in June 1942, he was assigned to Fleet Schools as a student while awaiting transportation to his ship, and in August of that year he joined USS Ludlow (DD-438). On board the destroyer he served as Deck Division Officer, Assistant Gunnery Officer, Torpedo Officer and Sonar Officer, during the period ending May 1945, having attended the East Coast Sound School, Key West Florida, during January and February 1943. While attached to the Ludlow, he participated in the initial assault on North Africa; the Sicily, Salerno and Anzio landings; the Invasion of Southern France; and in the attack on and sinking of the German submarine U-960 in May 1944. He received a Letter of Commendation and the Bronze star Medal, both with Combat "V." The citations follow:

Letter of Commendation: "For outstanding performance of duty as Sound Officer on board USS Ludlow during action against an enemy submarine early in 1944. Responsible for the expert and thorough training of sound men under his command, he skillfully developed an attack team which succeeded in making initial contact with the hostile undersea craft. Subsequently furnishing the Conning Officer with a continuous and accurate account of the immediate operational situation, despite radical maneuvering of his ship, he contributed materially to the success of the depth charge attack which forced the enemy submarine to surface under guns from our vessels, and resulted in her destruction..."

Bronze Star Medal: "For heroic service as a plotting room officer of USS Ludlow during landings at North Africa, and variously as a Combat Information Center Officer, Navigator, Radar and sound Officer during the landings at Sicily, Salerno, Anzio and southern France.  When intense counterfire damaged his ship and seriously wounded his Commanding Officer during the invasion of Anzio, (he) promptly assumed the duties of Navigator and maneuvered his craft, in the face of continued fire, through mine-filled waters, thereby enabling the Ludlow to leave this theater without further damage. Forceful and efficient, he performed his assigned duties with intelligent initiative and decisive judgment and was largely responsible for the high state of combat efficiency maintained by his vessel throughout five major amphibious assaults against the enemy..."

In July 1945 he attended the west Coast Sound School, in San Diego, California. Reporting to Commander Destroyers, Pacific Fleet, in August 1945, he had brief temporary duty under instruction, and from September of that year until July 1947 served successively as Executive Officer of USS Norman Scott (DD-690) and USS Borie (DD-704). While on board the latter, in January 1947 he had temporary additional duty assisting the General Inspector, Atlantic, in Personnel Accounting Inspection. From August to December 1947 he served on the Staff of Commander Transport Division TWENTY-ONE as Acting Chief Staff Officer and control Officer.

Instruction from January to November 1948 at Sandia Base, New Mexico, attached to the Naval Administrative Unit, was followed by his assignment as Section Superior, Navy Special weapons Unit FOUR HUNDRED SEVENTY-ONE, until April 1950. He then served for eight months as Operations Assistant at Headquarters, 8460th Special Weapons Group. From January 1951 until December 1952 he was at sea serving as Navigator of USS Helena (CA-75), being on board when that cruiser returned President-elect Eisenhower to Pearl Harbor after his Korean trip.

He was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Bronze Star Medal (Combat "V"). The citation follows: "For meritorious service as Navigator and Tactical Officer of USS Helena during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea from 8 June to 27 November 1952...He rendered invaluable assistance to his commanding officer in the planning and execution of many successful fire support missions and bombardments along the east coast of Korea. Exercising sound judgment and exceptional seamanship, he skillfully navigated the Helena close to enemy-held terrain in waters where the threat of hostile mines presented a constant danger to the vessel, thereby contributing materially to the success achieved by his ship in inflicting heavy casualties on enemy forces and extensive damage upon numerous military installations deep in hostile territory."

He next had a tour of shore duty as Project Officer at the US Naval Gun Factory, Washington, DC, then from February through July 1955 was a student at the Armed Forces staff College, Norfolk, Virginia. In August of that year he joined USS New Jersey (BB-62) as Operations Officer, and a year later he assumed command of USS Haynsworth (DD-700), a unit of Destroyers, Atlantic Fleet. In March 1958, he transferred to command of USS Mullinix (DD-944).

Instruction at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, August 1959 to June 1960, was followed by a two year tour of duty on the Staff, Naval Warfare Department of that college. He was a student at the Naval Amphibious School, Coronado, California, during the summer of 1962, and in August assumed command of USS Thomaston (LSD-28). In October 1963 he reported for duty in the Joint Staff Office, Joint Chiefs of staff, Washington, DC. While serving in that capacity he was awarded the Joint Service commendation Medal and cited as follows:

"For meritorious service during the period October 1963 to February 1966...(He) was instrumental in the staff development of major policy papers for the Joint Chiefs of Staff relating to the Single Integrated Operations Plans and Strategic Residual Forces. His keen insight into the implications of this complex plan has contributed immeasurably to the decision-making process at the nation's highest military command..."

In February 1966 he reported as Staff Officer, Plans Division Headquarters, Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet, and in February 1968 was ordered to duty as Commanding Officer of the Naval Station, Subic Bay, Luzon.

In addition to the Bronze star Medal with Gold Star and combat "V", the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Commendation Ribbon with Combat "V", Captain Anderson has the American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with six operation stars; Asiatic-pacific Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Navy Occupation Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal with bronze star; Korean Service Medal with three stars; United Nations Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Cuba); and the Korean presidential Unit Citation Badge.

Captain Anderson's father was a former Naval Officer, he retired in 1912, but was recalled to active duty to serve as Lieutenant Commander during World War II.

END

Published: Wed Sep 19 13:04:46 EDT 2018