CAPT James R. Sanderson

CAPT Sanderson on the
Stbd wing, USS Rainier, with the Vesuvius (AE-15)
in the background.

Vice Admiral James R."Sandy" Sanderson retired in April, 1983.

Vice Admiral Sanderson entered the US Navy in March, 1944 and served in a number of duty stations, among them:
Commander, Attack Wing three
CO- USS Rainier
CO- USS Saratoga
Commander-Battle Force-6th Fleet
Deputy CO-Atlantic Command-US Atlantic Fleet

Vice Admiral Sanderson was awarded the Legion of Merit four times, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal and five Air Medals.
VADM Sanderson is an Eagle Scout and recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). He was an active supporter of Scouting throughout his life at many levels, including still helping host the annual Eagle Recognition Dinner for BSA's Tidewater Council new Eagle Scouts. Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable by a scout in the Boy Scouts of America. The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award is awarded only to Eagle Scouts, for distinguished service in his profession or to the community for a period of at least 25 years after earning his Eagle Scout rank.
He was also a 33rd Degree Mason.
VADM Sanderson lived in Virginia Beach, VA for many years.

FUNERAL SERVICE AT ARLINGTON

"Sandy" Sanderson, US Navy (Retired), was laid to rest. On Thursday, December 16th, 2010,
a late fall snowstorm placed a blanket of white over Arlington. But by
Friday morning, a bright sun showed through the trees, casting
shadows behind the thousands of headstones of the cemetery and providing
comfortable warmth to the ceremony.
The service began about a quarter mile from his eventual gravesite with the
transfer from a hearse to the US Army horse-drawn caisson. In addition, on hand
to honor and observe were:
* The admiral's widow and high school sweetheart, Betty Sanderson.
* A representative of a Higher Power (discussed below).
* A representative of the Commander-in-Chief.
* A rear admiral representing the Chief of Naval Operations.
* The US Navy Ceremonial Guard with band and bugler.
* A group of the admiral's peers (Navy admirals and Marine generals) who served
as Honorary Pall Bearers.
* Guests representing family and friends.
* LCDR Glenn Smith reported he had the high honor and privilege of representing the 5000 men who served
under his command in USS Saratoga CV-60.

During the transfer from the hearse to the Army caisson, a magical moment
occurred. A representative of a Higher Power mysteriously appeared in the
form of a lone seagull. The gull hovered over the coffin throughout the
transfer, circling lazily above as if watching over Sandy. After the coffin had
been properly secured, the gull flew up and away. At that moment, as if called
by the gull, a flight of four Navy fighter aircraft appeared low over the
horizon heading straight for the ceremony. When they were directly overhead,
the number three plane turned on its afterburner and shot almost straight
up into a final naval aviator's salute. The procession then began the slow
march toward the final resting place. Led by a group of officers,
including the rear admiral and a chaplain, the band and ceremonial guard
marched off followed by a sailor carrying the admiral's three-star blue
flag draped with black crepe. As the band played appropriate funeral music,
the caisson slowly made its way through the cemetery. At the graveside
the coffin was moved from the caisson to its resting place. A Navy chaplain opened the brief
ceremony with a prayer. Then, from over the hill at Fort Myer, came a booming
15-gun salute that echoed throughout the cemetery, followed by a graveside
rifle salute and a lone bugler sounding Taps.

It was a moving ceremony, appropriate for one who had served our country with
distinction for 39-years in positions of high responsibility.

We are proud to have served under his command.