Roland "Andy" Anderson | |
Honorific Suffix: | OBE |
Office: | 7th Mayor of Naples, Florida |
Term Start: | 1978 |
Term End: | 1982 |
Predecessor: | ? |
Successor: | ? |
Birth Date: | October 23, 1913 |
Alma Mater: | United States Military Academy at West Point |
Profession: | Military officer |
Branch: | United States Army |
Serviceyears: | 1938–1971 |
Rank: | Major general |
Commands: | Co B, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment (Airborne) 13th Corps Support Command (COSCOM) |
Battles: | World War II |
Roland "Andy" Bennett Anderson OBE (October 23, 1913 – December 9, 2010) was an American retired major general, who served as the 7th mayor of Naples, Florida, from 1978 until 1982.[1]
Anderson was born on October 23, 1913. He initially attended the University of Oklahoma.[1] However, he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1938.[1]
He served during World War II as an ordnance staff officer for the U.S. anti-aircraft command in the Pacific theater.[1] Anderson later joined the Pentagon's Chief of Ordnance office following the end of World War II.[1] This included a position in Peru.
Anderson was promoted to Assistant Chief of Staff G-4 for the U.S. Army Logistics Command based in Europe. He oversaw the acquisition and maintenance of all weapons used by the United States Army in Europe at the time.[1] He was further promoted to Director of Army Procuremen upon his return to the United States, a position he held until his retirement from the U.S. Army as a Major General.[1]
He was the recipient of several honors during his career, including the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit and the Order of British Empire.[1]
Anderson moved to Naples, Florida, in 1971 upon his retirement from the U.S. Army.[1] He entered local politics and was elected to both the District School Board of Collier County and Naples City Council.[1] He served as the 7th Mayor of Naples from 1978 until 1982.[1]
Andy Anderson died on December 9, 2010, at the age of 97.[1] He was survived by his girlfriend, Lee Craft; three children - Audrey Joan Anderson, Roland Bruce Anderson and Gene Cristina Anderson; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.[1] His wife, Gene Cox Anderson, died in 1999.[1] The couple had been married for fifty-five years.[1]