Edwin Anderson Jr.

Edwin Alexander Anderson Jr. was an officer in the United States Navy who rose to the rank of Admiral. Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1860, he served across several decades, notably commanding the gunboat Callao in the early 1900s, followed by stints at Mare Island Navy Yard and commanding the gunboat Yorktown. He briefly commanded the battleship Iowa before being assigned to the Philadelphia Navy Yard as Captain of the Yard.

In late 1913, Anderson took command of the battleship New Hampshire. In April 1914, his leadership was put to the test during the American intervention at Veracruz, Mexico. Placed in command of the Second Seaman Regiment, he led the bluejacket landing force ashore under intense enemy fire and distinguished himself with extraordinary heroism in battle, an action for which he would later be awarded the Medal of Honor.

During World War I, Anderson attended the Naval War College and went on to serve as Supervisor of Naval Auxiliary Reserves. He subsequently commanded Patrol Force squadrons in the Atlantic Fleet, earning promotion to rear admiral. Anderson retired from the Navy in 1924 with the rank of admiral, leaving behind a distinguished legacy of combat leadership and naval service.