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<em>David Moore Anderson III</em> was born in Jackson, MS, the son of David M. Anderson Jr. and Tamora Anderson. Like many of his classmates, David was born while his father, an Army Air Forces bombardier, was overseas, serving in the Pacific during World War II. After the war, the family settled in Newton, MS. David graduated from Newton High School, where he played baseball and basketball.</p>
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David entered West Point in 1962. He was a cadet manager for the football team all four years at the Academy. During plebe year, he would often find humor in many of the crazy things plebes had to do. He had the ability to find humor that picked up the spirits of everyone around him. Throughout his time at the Academy, David displayed the consideration for others and unfailing spirit that are so characteristic of a true Southern gentleman. David used to laugh about how his southern expressions were the focus of upperclassmen’s attention. For example, if he was asked where he was going or what he was about to do, he would say he was “fixin’ to…” He was “encouraged” to change the expression and was never heard to use it in later years. David had the rare gift of being able to distinguish between what was important and of lasting value and what was temporary and trivial. These valuable traits were on display throughout a distinguished 27-year Army career.</p>
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David graduated in 1966 and was commissioned in the Field Artillery. After Airborne and Ranger training, his first assignment was with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC. He served as a forward observer and battery executive officer with the 3rd Battalion, 319th Field Artillery, 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968.</p>
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Returning from Vietnam, he attended the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course in 1969, along with many classmates. One of the earlier exercises in the Advanced Course involved the entire class in a large auditorium. Each student was given the same list of written instructions of actions to be taken as quickly as possible. The very first instruction stated that the entire exercise should be read from start to finish before beginning work. One instruction about half way down the list directed each student to stand up and shout his first name. David leaped from his seat and, in his best command voice, shouted “DAVE!” He was very chagrined when he reached the last instruction that stated, “Except for the first instruction, disregard all prior instructions.” For days thereafter, David’s classmates would greet him saying, “How ya doing, DAVE,” “What’s up, DAVE,” or similar phrases in which his first name was shouted with great enthusiasm. David endured it all with his usual good grace.</p>
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After the Advanced Course, he served with the 3rd Armored Division Artillery in Germany and commanded the headquarters battery of the Division Artillery from 1969 to 1970. David was an advisor with the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, from 1971 to 1972. In 1973, he received a master’s degree in political science from the University of Iowa and remained at Iowa as an assistant professor of military science until 1976.</p>
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David trained to become a foreign area officer for South America. He graduated from the Defense Language Institute and the Foreign Area Officer Course, and studied in Bogota, Colombia. After returning from overseas, his assignments included battalion executive officer, assistant division artillery operations officer, and assistant division fire support coordinator with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) from 1978 to 1980; Armed Forces Staff College; and Chief, Foreign Area Officer Management Section, U.S. Army Military Personnel Center in Alexandria, VA. In 1983, David took command of the 5th Training Battalion at the U.S. Army Field Artillery Training Center, Fort Sill, OK.</p>
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David was selected to serve as U.S. Army attaché in Caracas, Venezuela. In 1990, he met his wife-to-be, Vicki Graham, who was a member of the diplomatic staff at the British Embassy in Caracas. David and Vicki were married in 1992 in Torquay, England and were sent to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates for David’s final active duty assignment as the U.S. Defense attaché. David retired from the Army in 1993. His military awards included the Bronze Star (1 OLC), the Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.</p>
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After retirement, David and Vicki settled in the Washington, DC area, where he worked for a consulting firm. Later, he joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation as an intelligence analyst, retiring at the end of 2010. In June 2000, David and Vicki were blessed with twin sons, Simon and Oliver. In later years, he expressed great contentment, pride, and gratefulness for their sons and for having found a life partner in Vicki. His family fulfilled his life. David is also survived by his sister Tam (widow of David’s classmate Charles M. [Mike] Baily).</p>
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David loved baseball and watching the Washington Redskins play football. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of life like reading and gardening. He faced his battle with cancer with great courage and stoicism. He is an example to us all of a good man who lived a full and honorable life. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.</p>
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<em>Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, Somewhere very near, Just round the corner. All is well. </em></p>
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<em>— Henry Scott Holland</em></p>