Commander William H Anderson, Hero of Leyte Gulf

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Commander William H Anderson was born in Westerly, Rhode Island February 22, 1921. Anderson joined the Navy as an Aviation Cadet prior to Pearl Harbor and after the start of the war, was assigned to the USS Santee, where he served with VGS-29. His squadron was assigned convoy security duty, searching for German Submarines between the US and Casablanca and supported the North Africa landings in November, 1942.

Commander Anderson

Anderson as Asst. Air Officer of the USS Oriskany

VF-213 shortly after the Korean War

 After returning from his first tour in the Atlantic, VGS-29 was re-designated VT-29 (Navy Fixed wing Torpedo Squadron), flying the TBM-1 Avenger torpedo bomber. Anderson was the third in command of his squadron as they were assigned to the light aircraft carrier USS Cabot, CVL-28; they would go on to see some of the heaviest air action of World War Two.

Anderson would fly his first combat mission in the Pacific on October 12, 1944, carrying out a single-handed assault on 7 Japanese Sea Trucks. he followed up the next day with an attack on 2 more Sea Trucks. His third combat mission of the Pacific would be an infamous day in history. As the morning of October 24, 1944 began, the perfect storm was brewing off the cost the the Philippine Islands. Tens of thousands of Army troops were landing on the beaches of the Philippines and what may very well be the largest naval battle in the history of the world was beginning off shore. Many heroes lived and died during the three-day battle, and Commander (then Lieutenant) Anderson was right in the thick of everything. VT-29, along with another torpedo squadron and their Air Group's fighter squadron's were assigned to attack the Imperial Battleship Musashi. Anderson was flying with his three plane section along with the unit's CO, Commander McPherson and with Lt Skidmore.

"Bill" Anderson Standing front row 1st from left side with Pilots of VT-29

VT-29 squadron insignia

After the other Torpedo squadron and the fighters made their run, Anderson and his squadron had their turn. Anderson went into his dive and scored a direct hit - one of three torpedoes from VT-29 to make a direct hit on the Musashi. The Musashi, the head of the Japanese fleet during the battle capsized and sank the next day with nearly half of her 2300 man crew lost. For his heroism during this day, Anderson was awarded the nation's second highest decoration, the Navy Cross. His citation read "for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy, on 24 October 1944, Lieutenant Anderson participated in torpedo attacks which severely crippled an enemy Battleship Task Force. The action, in which he was an integral part, successfully accomplished in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft barrages, removed a serious thread to our ground forces. His outstanding courage and determination in the face of great danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service"

Anderson's squadron attacking the IJN battleship Musashi, October 24, 1944

 Anderson would go on to fly twenty more combat missions in the Pacific and earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses for his daring missions. His second DFC was for "extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against major units of the Japanese Fleet in the vicinity of Kyushu As pilot of a carrier-based torpedo plane on 7 April 1945, he led the squadron in a highly successful torpedo attack which severely crippled several of the enemy's capitol warships and ended the fears of a counterattack on our newly won positions on Okinawa. Flying through very heavy anti-aircraft and heavy gun fire, he launched his attack against the assigned target, one of the enemy's newest and largest battleships, and although the result of his torpedo's run was not observed it is highly probable that it was one of the many hits scored. His courageous leadership and professional skill was at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service".  

damage to the USS Cabot from Kamikaze attack November, 1944

Anderson decided to make the Navy his career and would continue to serve for 27 years. His service would include flying with VA-175, VF-213 (which he was the squadron's first Commanding Officer) and VA-126.   With VF-213, Anderson piloted the F2H Banshee, an early Navy single engine jet fighter. Anderson served briefly in the Korean War and then went to the Naval Post Graduate School.

Commander Anderson retired from the Navy in 1968 and spent much of his retirement working with the USS Cabot association and served for many years as the association president. 

McPherson, Anderson and Skidmore, October, 1944