John Anderson was born on February 24, 1950, in Waterloo, Iowa. He enlisted in the Army Warrant Officer Rotary Wing Aviator Course at Fort Rucker, Alabama, on July 8, 1968, and was appointed a Warrant Officer and awarded his Aviator Wings on June 16, 1969. WO Anderson then deployed to Southeast Asia, where he served as a UH-1 Huey pilot with the 192nd Assault Helicopter Company of the 1st Aviation Brigade in South Vietnam from July 1969 until he was killed in a flying accident on November 4, 1969. WO Anderson was officially listed as Missing in Action until his helicopter was located in 1973.

Epitaph For A Hero

If I should perish overseas
In service to my Land
I shall have died a noble death--
Let none misunderstand.

I hope my body will be found,
Returned back to my home,
Where it was nourished and inspired--
No more to yearn, or roam.

Home is the soldier then from the war
Back to his family;
Home is the patriot at last,
Buried in majesty.

Pause, visitor, and cast a glance,
Upon a hero's grave;
Be thankful to breathe Freedom's air,
For which his life he gave.