Eric Anderson Obituary

Eric Eugene Anderson GREENWOOD, SC - Eric Eugene Anderson entered into eternal rest on September 25, 2009. Born in Paragould, Arkansas on January 15, 1924 and raised in Summerville, SC to parents Josephine Sanders and Bradford Eric Anderson. He joined the U.S. Army Paratroopers just prior to graduation at Summerville High School, and he graduated from Trident Technical College with a degree in Criminal Justice in the late 1980s. He retired from the Army after serving 35 years and worked as a counselor and an educator for many years. Command Sergeant-Major (US Army Ret.) Anderson is survived by three sons, Leif Eric Anderson (Deb) of Omaha, Nebraska, Lance Noel Anderson (Lisa) of Greenwood, SC, and Kirk Ira Anderson (Julie) of Summerville, SC. He is also survived by his twin sister, Betty Jo Sedivy Waring of Summerville, SC, his sister Helen Rebecca Waring Tovey of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and a brother, Robert Eldon Anderson (Gloria) of Summerville, SC. He is survived also by his wife, Julia Hayes Anderson of Goose Creek, SC. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Shontelle Anderson Birdsell (David) of Toledo, Ohio, Samuel Louis Anderson and twin brother Matthew Lee Anderson of Greenwood, SC, Eric Everett Anderson and Bradford Jack Anderson of West Linn, Oregon, and Martha Jean Anderson of Texas, Kimberly Ann Alameda of Colorado Springs, CO, and a great-grandson David Robert Birdsell of Toledo, Ohio. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and their wives and husbands. He was predeceased by his parents and his first wife Doris Jean Safford Anderson. Mr. Anderson served in the paratroopers during World War II seeing combat in Italy and participating in the airborne assault with the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team into Southern France during Operation Anvil/Dragoon, also known as the "Champagne Campaign." He was very badly wounded about six weeks into the campaign and spent the rest of the war in medical facilities. After his discharge Mr. Anderson attended the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, graduating in 1947, and returned to Summerville where he married fellow art student, Jean Safford, and worked in the art department of the Charleston News and Courier. Mr. Anderson reentered the U.S. Army in the early 1950s and served in Korea, Germany, Japan, and many other duty stations. In the early 1960s after his wife Jean died, he became a Special Forces Green Beret and served seven tours in Viet Nam where he acquired his second and third Purple Heart Awards along with many other decorations for valor. Involved in many covert operations, Mr. Anderson has been interviewed many times for books relating to both the Second World War and Viet Nam. On retirement from the Army his rank was Command Sergeant-Major. He was a Life member of the American Legion, Special Operations Association, Special Forces Assn., Vietnam Veterans of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, NCOA, 82nd Airborne Div. Assn., and others. He was a champion Golden Gloves boxer and fought professionally for a few years, and later coached many army boxing teams. He was a member of Bethany United Methodist Church in Summerville, SC. In lieu of flowers please make an effort to thank a veteran at every opportunity. A graveside funeral service will be conducted at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC with full military honors at a date to be determined later, where CSM Anderson will be laid to rest alongside his first wife Doris Jean Anderson, a US Navy veteran. Harley Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of local arrangements. Messages of condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/deaths