In Memoriam

U.S. Marine Maj. Nathan W. Anderson ’02 died February 22 when two military helicopters collided during a nighttime training exercise at the Yuma Training Range Complex near the Arizona-California border. Anderson, 32, was commissioned in the Marine Corps Dec. 20, 2002, and served as a UH-1Y Huey pilot.

Anderson was a member of the Corps of Cadets Company H-1 and served as a Ross Volunteer. He was one of seven Marines killed in the collision. Anderson was assigned to the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona. 

Anderson graduated from Amarillo High School in 1998 and from Texas A&M University in 2002 with a degree in Animal Science. Anderson is the 27th Aggie to die since 9-11 while serving our country in the military.

"Our sincerest condolences go out to the family of Captain Nathan W. Anderson, USMC, who was killed in the helicopter crash at Yuma, Arizona," wrote Corps of Cadets Commandant Brigadier General Joe E. Ramirez, Jr. ’79. "May God Bless Nathan and his entire family. Rest in peace, Marine. 'Softly call the muster...'" Anderson was posthumously promoted to Maj. Anderson.

Anderson served three deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007, 2008 and 2009. According to an article in the Amarillo Globe News, his personal awards include the Air Individual Action, Air Strike/Flight, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation, National Defense Service, Iraq Campaign, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Global War on Terrorism Service medals.

Remembered by his hometown as a quiet leader whose work ethic made him a good fit for the military, his high school football coach described him as a hard worker with high intelligence. “He was dedicated to being as good as he could be and dedicated to being a good team member,” said Larry Dippel, as reported by the Amarillo Globe News.  
 
Maj. Anderson is survived by his wife Amanda '01 and their two sons.

Please see the links below for media articles on Maj. Anderson.

http://www.dvidshub.net/video/138641/marines-mourn-loss-yuma-helicopter-accident-casualty

http://www.thebatt.com/corps-of-cadets-honors-fallen-marine-1.2803569

http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/2012-02-24/amarillo-marine-killed-military-helicopter-crash

http://www.yumasun.com/sections/article/gallery/?pic=1&id=77004

http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_central_southern_az/yuma/marines-killed-in-helicopter-crash-near-yuma-identified

http://www.kbtx.com/local/headlines/Aggie_Killed_in_Helicopter_Crash_in_Yuma_140395613.html

http://www.yumasun.com/news/anderson-77161-marine-yuma.html

http://homepost.kpbs.org/2012/02/memorial-wednesday-for-mcas-yuma-marine-video/