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SP4 Robert Douglas “Bob” Anderson

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SP4 Robert Douglas “Bob” Anderson Veteran

Birth
Morgantown, Monongalia County, West Virginia, USA
Death
29 Sep 1967 (aged 20)
Vietnam
Burial
San Bruno, San Mateo County, California, USA Add to Map
Plot
Section V Site 1014
Memorial ID
View Source
SP4 Anderson #1890746, MOS: 67N20 UH-1 Helicopter Repairer.

Survived by his parents, Clayton H and Evelyn V Anderson of Carmichael CA; Robert, Clayton, and Evelyn subsequently buried together sharing the headstone: Robert on the front, Clayton and Evelyn on the back.

These acknowledgements tell us who was this fallen soldier, ROBERT DOUGLAS ANDERSON …
Hi Bob, It has been a while, 55 years to be precise - Cal Poly freshman roommates. Although we spent a short 9 months together, I still have good memories. We went our separate ways: you took a break from school and I headed north to Corvallis. Eventually, we both were called to service. You ended up in an Air Cav unit as a door gunner in the RVN. On a fateful 9-29-1967, you performed an act of unselfish valor saving lives in a hostile landing zone. I believe those soldiers still remember you today. Enemy fire found its mark and you were fatally wounded . A Silver Star was awarded. A mother's son and father's legacy was lost that day. Our lives started an early parallel. First, we were born 2 days apart in 1947. We both served in the Army. You in 1966 and me 1969-71. You were assigned to the Americal Div., Chu Lai RVN, Air Cav. I was stationed in the same Americal Div. Chu Lai, 17th Armored Cav. We probably walked the same Chu Lai dusty streets. On another fateful day, in 1971, I was wounded by a VC booby trap. A resupply chopper was overhead and picked us up. A kind door gunner comforted me enroute to Chu Lai. I know you were not an angel in school, but could that have been you looking over me? Why did it take so long for this letter? My daughter was at the Memorial and asked me for a name to etch. I gave her yours. The only thing I asked was to share the etching with her 2 children. The etching symbolizes the hard price we pay for freedom. I salute an American hero - Robert D Anderson.
5.31.2021 BY: RON ELDREDGE HONORING A FRIEND

SILVER STAR CITATION Robert Douglas Anderson Silver Star AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING Vietnam War Service: Army Rank: Specialist Fourth Class Battalion: 14th Combat Aviation Battalion Division: Americal Division GENERAL ORDERS: Headquarters, Americal Division, General Orders No. 819 (October 9, 1967) CITATION: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Robert Douglas Anderson (ASN: RA-18907476), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force as a member of Company A, 14th Combat Aviation Battalion, Americal Division, on 29 September 1967 in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Fourth Class Anderson distinguished himself by exceptionally heroic action and personal bravery while serving as a crew chief aboard a UH-1D helicopter engaged in a combat assault west of Tam Ky in protection of two downed aircraft. As his ship was terminating its approach, it was subjected to large caliber enemy automatic weapons fire. As the infantry troops departed the helicopter, one was seriously wounded. Seeing the injured man fall Specialist Anderson unhesitatingly leaped from the aircraft and ran to the fallen soldier with complete disregard for his own safety and in spite of the close proximity of automatic weapons and small arms fire. His display of courage spurred two other infantrymen to race to his side and assist in placing the wounded man aboard the helicopter. While Specialist Anderson was returning to his seat, the aircraft was hit by automatic weapons fire which mortally wounded him. Specialist Fourth Class Anderson's display of unquestionable heroism in the face of a numerically superior hostile force was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army. 9.29.2018 BY: A GRATEFUL VIETNAM VETERAN

[image] Dear Robert, to honor your memory and the sacrifice you made for your country I want to make sure your photo will be displayed on your birthday each and every year when the Education Center is completed, so it is with great pride and humility that I post this remembrance and picture of you. You are not forgotten and remain in the hearts of many all these years later. You have been designated to be one of God's special angels, along with the love of my life, who also sacrificed his life during this war 45 years ago. God Bless You, Robert, for being who you were and for all you did--we live in freedom to this day thanks to heroes like you. 5.1.2012 BY: CAROL (CIPRIANI) HABERCHAK

LA SIERRA HIGH SCHOOL VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL, CARMICHAEL CA [image] — dedicated to 14 former students of La Sierra High School who lost their lives in Vietnam. One of the first known Vietnam memorials in California, this Memorial is adjacent to Garfield Elementary School on land purchased in 1971 by both its students and La Sierra High, land being a nature study area created the same year in 1973 as the Earl J. Koobs Nature Study Area honoring his inspiration for and dedication to the area. The La Sierra High School Vietnam Veterans Memorial, structured in a modified amphitheater-style setting, was crafted in the high school metal shop by students wanting to remember their classmates lost during the war. While access to the site is limited, each Memorial Day and Veteran's Day a ceremony takes place honoring those who sacrificed their lives for their country. The Memorial with the names of the 14 soldiers who lost their lives in Vietnam includes former La Sierra student, soldier Jerry Cowsert, killed in a basic training accident. 8.13.2011 LA SIERRA HIGH SCHOOL VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL, CARMICHAEL CA

CRASH INFORMATION ON U.S. ARMY HELICOPTER UH-1D TAIL NUMBER 64-13836 Aircraft 64-13836 was hit with .51 caliber machine gun fire while at hover. Crew member CPT Robert T. Hooker was wounded by the shattered windshield and rescued. WO Chellis was wounded by a .51 caliber round going through his armored seat. SP4 Robert D. Anderson was hit in the groin and bled to death. Another crew member SFC Danziel Marcantel was also rescued. Crash occurred while supporting 327 Inf 101 ABN. 7.22.2011 [Taken from vhpa.org]

CHOPPER SCHOOL TOGETHER He was the platoon leader in our class..He was sharp and could have been anything he wanted to be if he would have come home..We went to vietnam together and he ended up in another outfit when we arrived in country never was to see him again..He wanted to be home and when we heard the news of his death I felt a great loss even though I knew him for about six months.I am 59 years old and I still think of him. 6.3.2007 BY: SAL ARZILLO

WE REMEMBER Robert is buried at Golden Gate Nat Cem. 6.29.2004 BY: ROBERT SAGE

KNEW HIM Robert was a crewchief on Huey helicopter while serving with the 161st Assault Helicopter Company based at Chu Lai, SVN. 12.4.2001 BY: JOHN H. HASTINGS
***
SP4 Anderson #1890746, MOS: 67N20 UH-1 Helicopter Repairer.

Survived by his parents, Clayton H and Evelyn V Anderson of Carmichael CA; Robert, Clayton, and Evelyn subsequently buried together sharing the headstone: Robert on the front, Clayton and Evelyn on the back.

These acknowledgements tell us who was this fallen soldier, ROBERT DOUGLAS ANDERSON …
Hi Bob, It has been a while, 55 years to be precise - Cal Poly freshman roommates. Although we spent a short 9 months together, I still have good memories. We went our separate ways: you took a break from school and I headed north to Corvallis. Eventually, we both were called to service. You ended up in an Air Cav unit as a door gunner in the RVN. On a fateful 9-29-1967, you performed an act of unselfish valor saving lives in a hostile landing zone. I believe those soldiers still remember you today. Enemy fire found its mark and you were fatally wounded . A Silver Star was awarded. A mother's son and father's legacy was lost that day. Our lives started an early parallel. First, we were born 2 days apart in 1947. We both served in the Army. You in 1966 and me 1969-71. You were assigned to the Americal Div., Chu Lai RVN, Air Cav. I was stationed in the same Americal Div. Chu Lai, 17th Armored Cav. We probably walked the same Chu Lai dusty streets. On another fateful day, in 1971, I was wounded by a VC booby trap. A resupply chopper was overhead and picked us up. A kind door gunner comforted me enroute to Chu Lai. I know you were not an angel in school, but could that have been you looking over me? Why did it take so long for this letter? My daughter was at the Memorial and asked me for a name to etch. I gave her yours. The only thing I asked was to share the etching with her 2 children. The etching symbolizes the hard price we pay for freedom. I salute an American hero - Robert D Anderson.
5.31.2021 BY: RON ELDREDGE HONORING A FRIEND

SILVER STAR CITATION Robert Douglas Anderson Silver Star AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING Vietnam War Service: Army Rank: Specialist Fourth Class Battalion: 14th Combat Aviation Battalion Division: Americal Division GENERAL ORDERS: Headquarters, Americal Division, General Orders No. 819 (October 9, 1967) CITATION: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Robert Douglas Anderson (ASN: RA-18907476), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force as a member of Company A, 14th Combat Aviation Battalion, Americal Division, on 29 September 1967 in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Fourth Class Anderson distinguished himself by exceptionally heroic action and personal bravery while serving as a crew chief aboard a UH-1D helicopter engaged in a combat assault west of Tam Ky in protection of two downed aircraft. As his ship was terminating its approach, it was subjected to large caliber enemy automatic weapons fire. As the infantry troops departed the helicopter, one was seriously wounded. Seeing the injured man fall Specialist Anderson unhesitatingly leaped from the aircraft and ran to the fallen soldier with complete disregard for his own safety and in spite of the close proximity of automatic weapons and small arms fire. His display of courage spurred two other infantrymen to race to his side and assist in placing the wounded man aboard the helicopter. While Specialist Anderson was returning to his seat, the aircraft was hit by automatic weapons fire which mortally wounded him. Specialist Fourth Class Anderson's display of unquestionable heroism in the face of a numerically superior hostile force was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army. 9.29.2018 BY: A GRATEFUL VIETNAM VETERAN

[image] Dear Robert, to honor your memory and the sacrifice you made for your country I want to make sure your photo will be displayed on your birthday each and every year when the Education Center is completed, so it is with great pride and humility that I post this remembrance and picture of you. You are not forgotten and remain in the hearts of many all these years later. You have been designated to be one of God's special angels, along with the love of my life, who also sacrificed his life during this war 45 years ago. God Bless You, Robert, for being who you were and for all you did--we live in freedom to this day thanks to heroes like you. 5.1.2012 BY: CAROL (CIPRIANI) HABERCHAK

LA SIERRA HIGH SCHOOL VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL, CARMICHAEL CA [image] — dedicated to 14 former students of La Sierra High School who lost their lives in Vietnam. One of the first known Vietnam memorials in California, this Memorial is adjacent to Garfield Elementary School on land purchased in 1971 by both its students and La Sierra High, land being a nature study area created the same year in 1973 as the Earl J. Koobs Nature Study Area honoring his inspiration for and dedication to the area. The La Sierra High School Vietnam Veterans Memorial, structured in a modified amphitheater-style setting, was crafted in the high school metal shop by students wanting to remember their classmates lost during the war. While access to the site is limited, each Memorial Day and Veteran's Day a ceremony takes place honoring those who sacrificed their lives for their country. The Memorial with the names of the 14 soldiers who lost their lives in Vietnam includes former La Sierra student, soldier Jerry Cowsert, killed in a basic training accident. 8.13.2011 LA SIERRA HIGH SCHOOL VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL, CARMICHAEL CA

CRASH INFORMATION ON U.S. ARMY HELICOPTER UH-1D TAIL NUMBER 64-13836 Aircraft 64-13836 was hit with .51 caliber machine gun fire while at hover. Crew member CPT Robert T. Hooker was wounded by the shattered windshield and rescued. WO Chellis was wounded by a .51 caliber round going through his armored seat. SP4 Robert D. Anderson was hit in the groin and bled to death. Another crew member SFC Danziel Marcantel was also rescued. Crash occurred while supporting 327 Inf 101 ABN. 7.22.2011 [Taken from vhpa.org]

CHOPPER SCHOOL TOGETHER He was the platoon leader in our class..He was sharp and could have been anything he wanted to be if he would have come home..We went to vietnam together and he ended up in another outfit when we arrived in country never was to see him again..He wanted to be home and when we heard the news of his death I felt a great loss even though I knew him for about six months.I am 59 years old and I still think of him. 6.3.2007 BY: SAL ARZILLO

WE REMEMBER Robert is buried at Golden Gate Nat Cem. 6.29.2004 BY: ROBERT SAGE

KNEW HIM Robert was a crewchief on Huey helicopter while serving with the 161st Assault Helicopter Company based at Chu Lai, SVN. 12.4.2001 BY: JOHN H. HASTINGS
***


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