Fonds 91/324 - Bern Anderson fonds

Bern Anderson (1900-1963) served with the U.S. Navy from 1920 to 1950, attaining the rank of Rear Admiral, and was an author of U.S. naval history. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, he entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1917 and graduated in 1920. From 1920 to 1927 he served in both the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets. In 1934 he assumed command of USS SWALLOW which was assigned to Alaskan waters. Prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, he served as Recruit Training Officer at the Naval Training Station in Great Lakes, Illinois. During the 1930s Anderson began his career as author, writing articles for "U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings". His interests in history studies and historical writing continued throughout his naval career and well into retirement. In 1941, Anderson served as navigator with the Atlantic Fleet in Iceland. In 1942, he served as commanding officer of USS VIXEN. During 1943 and 1944, he served as planning and control officer on the staff of Commander, Seventh Amphibious Force. A two year assignment on the staff of the Naval War College's Strategy Department followed. After two years with the Atlantic Fleet Amphibious Force, he returned again to the Naval War College as Head of Strategy and Tactics Department. He retired in 1950 and was promoted to Rear Admiral on the retired list. In retirement, Anderson pursued history studies at Harvard University, earning an MA in 1951 and a Ph.D. in 1952. Recalled to active duty, he was assigned to Naval War College from 1952-1960 where he served as research associate of Samuel Eliot Morison in preparing "The History of U.S. Naval Operations in World War II". He died in Newport, Rhode Island.