This Military Service Page was created/owned by
CWO2 Philip E. Montroy
to remember
Marine MGen Norman Anderson.
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Contact Info
Home Town Manitowoc
Last Address Virginia Beach, VA
Date of Passing Sep 06, 2009
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
MajGen Anderson retired from the USMC on June 30, 1972. After his retirement, he was very active in the MacArthur Memorial Foundation in Norfolk, VA. for 28-years. He served as Executive Director for the first 10 years and then as a member of the Foundation Board. He remained a Director Emiritus until his death.
The General died on September 6, 2009 in Virginia Beach, VA. He was buried with full-military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
Other Comments:
MajGen Anderson was an aviation pioneer for nearly 4o years. He focused on developing (and defending) Marine Air's team approach to the support of ground troops. On Guadalcanal, he led th famous SCAT effort to resupply Marines on the ground at a time when Japan controlled the waters around the island. In Korea, he led the air cover for the Inchon landing. In Vietnam, he was one of the developers of the "Super Gaggle" concept which helped defend and save countless lives at the Battle of Khe Sanh during the 1968 Tet Offensive. After his retirement, MajGen Anderson went on to author a series of articles on close-air support.
"Amusing Historical Note": In 1941 he loaned his good friend, Greg "Pappy" Boyington, $1000.00
so that he could go to China and fight with the Flying Tigers. He later recalled that it was money well spent and that Boyington paid it back in-full and on time!
Vietnam War/Counteroffensive Phase III Campaign (1967-68)
From Month/Year
June / 1967
To Month/Year
January / 1968
Description This campaign was from 1 June 1967 to 29 January 1968.The conflict in South Vietnam remains basically unchanged. As Operation JUNCTION CITY ended, elements of the U.S. 1st and 25th Infantry Divisions, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, and the forces of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam swung back toward Saigon to conduct another clearing operation, MANHATTAN. This took peace in the Long Nguyen base area just north of the previously cleared "Iron Triangle."
South Vietnamese Armed Forces became more active and capable under U.S. advisors. During the year the Vietnamese Special Forces assumed responsibility for several Special Forces camps and for the CIDG companies manning them. In each case all of the U.S. advisors withdrew, leaving the Vietnamese in full command.
With an increased delegation of responsibility to them, the South Vietnamese conducted major operations during 1967, and, in spite of VC attempts to avoid battle, achieved a number of contacts.
Despite the success of U.S. and South Vietnamese Army operations, there were indications in the fall of 1967 of another enemy build-up, particularly in areas close to Laos and Cambodia. In late October, the VC struck again at the Special Forces Camp at Loc Ninh. Fortunately Vietnamese reinforcements saved the camp. At the same time, approximately 12,000 VC troops converged on a Special Forces camp at Dak To. This camp was located in northern Kontum Province, where the borders of Laos, Cambodia, and South Vietnam meet. In response to this potential threat, the U.S. and South Vietnam committed a total of sixteen battalions to the region to counter a disturbing enemy resurgence at Kontum and Loc Ninh.