Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Squadron Leader

Unit:

No. 407 (Demon) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force

Awarded on:

December 15th, 1941

Citation:
"This officer has always shown the greatest keenness and enthusiasm for operational flying. On one occasion he carried out a successful low level attack on a well defended convoy off Ameland, obtaining a hit on the largest vessel of some 10,000 tons. He also attacked balloons flown over the convoy with machine gun fire. On other occasions he has attacked convoys at night, always at a low level, and in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, obtaining direct hits on a 2,500 ton vessel from fifty feet and a probable hit on another vessel; he also attacked the vessels with machine gun fire. On another sortie Flight Lieutenant Anderson was detailed to illuminate the position of a convoy to direct a bombing force to the attack. He skilfully accomplished his mission by dropping ten flares at five minute internals over the convoy in the face of fire from the ships. He assumed command of a flight in November and he has since carried out a further 17 sorties. During one of these flights he attacked a large merchant ship leaving it enveloped in dense smoke and steam. This officer has at all times shown great courage."