David Keith Anderson – Colonel, United States Air Force

ANDERSON, DAVID KEITH, COL., USAF (Ret.) 63

Died January 19, 2003 in Las Cruces, New Mexico from complications of cancer. A long-time resident of eastern Prince William County, he relocated in April of last year to New Mexico.

He was born in Tacoma, Washington, the third son of Anton and Helen Hamilton Anderson on October 3, 1939.

Colonel Anderson graduated from the University of Washington in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. He was also a Distinguished Graduate of the Air Force ROTC program. Upon graduation he was commissioned into the Air Force and began his career as a fighter pilot.

Ultimately, he flew century-series aircraft including the F-100 and F-111 and became a Command Pilot. Combat missions in Vietnam numbered 222.

His awards and citations include: Defense Superior Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with two Silver Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

During his career he was a Distinguished Graduate of the Squadron Officers' School in 1968, a Distinguished Graduate of Air Command and Staff College in 1973 and Graduate of National Security Management in 1978.

Colonel Anderson received a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Auburn University in 1974. He retired from the Air Force in 1988 after over 27 years of honorable and distinguished service to his country.

Upon retiring from the Air Force, he further served the nation as a civilian member of the Department of Defense, applying his many talents within the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, where he served until April of 2002.

Retiring to New Mexico, he found that his skills continued to be needed by Northrop-Grumman Information Technology. He remained with them until his death. He was a member of the Air Force Assn., Daedalions, CBSA, Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Assn., CASBAR, NARFE, TROA and the VFW.

Colonel Anderson is survived by his college sweetheart and wife of 40 years, Pat, of Las Cruces, NM; and their two children, David of New Jersey and Debbie Van Horn of Virginia as well as three grandchildren: Zach and Lukas of New Jersey and Patricia of Virginia. His two older brothers also survive him, Gordon of Seattle and Dale of Tacoma, Washington.

Colonel Anderson had a contagious sense of humor and shared it with all of us. Humor is our strength.

Cremation has taken place and services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, April 14, 2003. Friends and family will be meeting at the Administration Building at 2:30 p.m. to proceed to the site for services.

ANDERSON, DAVID KEITH
COL   US AIR FORCE
VETERAN SERVICE DATES: 07/01/1953 – 09/30/1988
DATE OF BIRTH: 10/03/1939
DATE OF DEATH: 01/19/2003
DATE OF INTERMENT: 04/14/2003
BURIED AT: SECTION 65  SITE 25-22
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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