Carl Anderson was born on August 25, 1983, in Georgetown, South Carolina. After serving in the Navy Junior ROTC program at his high school, Carl enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in May 2001, and went on active duty to begin basic training on December 6, 2001. He completed basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, in February 2002, and after completing vehicle operations training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, A1C Anderson served as a vehicle operator with the 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, from April 2002 until he was killed in action when the truck he was driving was hit by a roadside bomb while deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on August 29, 2004. Carl Anderson was buried at the Morning Glory Cemetery in Georgetown, South Carolina.

His Bronze Star Medal w/Valor Citation reads:

Airman First Class Carl L. Anderson Jr. distinguished himself by heroism as Vehicle Operator, Detachment 1, 494th Air Expeditionary Force Truck Company, 732d Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, 732d Expeditionary Mission Support Group, 332d Air Expeditionary Wing, Balad Air Base Iraq, while engaged in ground combat against an enemy of the United States near Logistics Support Area Diamondback, Iraq, on 29 August 2004. On that date while escorting contract and local national supply trucks from Logistics Support Area Diamondback to forward operating base Speicher, Airman Anderson's convoy was attacked with an improvised explosive device. Airman Anderson's M923 gun truck took the full blast of the explosion and became engulfed in flames, and he was killed instantly as a result of shrapnel and fire from the explosion. He gave his life fighting for and defending the rights of the people of Iraq. By his heroic actions and unselfish dedication to duty in the service of his country, Airman Anderson has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.