Born in Ellendale, North Dakota, Anderson, the grandson of Norwegian immigrants,[2] moved with his parents to Conrad, Montana, in 1909.

During the Second World War he served as commander of an armored task force in the European Theater of Operations in combat from Normandy to the Elbe River.

For his service, he received the Silver Star and Croix de Guerre Medal with Palm.

He was not a candidate for renomination in 1960 but was unsuccessful for the Democratic nomination for United States Senator.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress