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US Navy Admiral's shoulder board insignia display. WWII USS Wasp sinking survivor, Korea, Vietnam. Rear Admiral Vernon L. Anderson, Dental Corps, United States Navy. Display includes six high quality shoulder boards of the following ranks with the Admiral's promotion dates: Lieutenant Junior Grade, Lieutenant Commander, Commander, Captain and rear Admiral. In the center of the display is a large US Navy Dental Corps Insignia and to the right are the plaques with duty assignments and dates. Display box measures 42.5" X 16.5" X 2". Rear Admiral Vernon L. Anderson born on Spet.26, 1913, the son of a sailor "Andy" grew up in St. Cloud, Minn., where his parents settled after immigration from Sweden. He graduated from St. Cloud Tech High School in 1931 and St. Cloud Teachers College in 1933. Taking up his uncle's offer of financial help, he attended the University of Minnesota, from which he earned a doctorate in dentistry in 1940.With war looking, he applied for commissions in both the Army and the Navy. His Commission as a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the United States Navy came through first, on March 3, 1941. This luck of the draw for the son of immigrants started a distinguished career of service to his country lasting more that 33 years, during which he saw action in three wars, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, and attained the rank of Rear Admiral, the highest possible in the Dental Corps. During WWII, he Witnessed the battle for Malta, and he survived the sinking of the USS WASP (CV-7) by the Japanese submarine O-19 on 15 September 1942, while convoying the 7th Marine Regiment from Espiritu Santo to reinforce American forces on Guadalcanal. During the Korean conflict, he served aboard the USS JASON, and in Vietnam, he commanded dental field operations for the Pacific Fleet Marine Forces. Throughout his career, he held the Marines in highest esteem and felt it a privilege to serve the Corps. Rear Admiral Vernon L. Anderson's advanced numerous innovations and improvements in combat dental operations, including "sit down dentistry" and techniques of reconstructive facial maxillary surgery.
