David Joseph Anderson

David Joseph Anderson, 83, of Arlington, Texas, passed away on August 13, 2026.

David was born in Corsicana, Texas, and raised in Dallas. He graduated from Bryan Adams High School in 1961, where he served as an ROTC cadet for three years. In the spring of 1962, he entered Arlington State College, majoring in Aerospace Engineering, and continued in ROTC, earning the position of Deputy Corps Commander.

During college he worked as an engineering co-op student with Bell Helicopter Aerodynamics Group and was selected for the ROTC Flight Program, where he earned his pilot's license and was designated a Distinguished Military Graduate. Financial hardship and family health circumstances forced him to leave college, and on May 28, 1968, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery, U.S. Army.

As a Second Lieutenant, David completed helicopter flight training finishing at the top of his class in 1969. He went on to complete AH-1G "Cobra" school before deploying to Vietnam, where he was assigned to Troop D (Air), 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, First Infantry Division ("The Big Red One"). Over his one-year tour, he logged 1,277 hours of combat flight time.

After Vietnam, then-Captain Anderson served as an instructor at Cobra school, attended the aviation safety course at USC and the Field Artillery Officers' Advanced Course. In 1973, he was assigned to Thailand with the Joint Casualty Resolution Center (JCRC), tasked with resolving MIA cases across Southeast Asia. As the Army's Crash Site Investigator, he searched for and investigated crash sites and gravesites of missing U.S. soldiers and Marines. During his year in that role, 25 sets of remains were recovered.

Following deployments to Southeast Asia, David was assigned to the 9th Infantry Division, 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery, at Fort Lewis, Washington, before returning to the University of Texas at Arlington to complete his degree in Aerospace Engineering. He graduated on the Dean's List in 1978, was promoted to Major and attended Naval Test Pilot School. He was then assigned to the Army Aviation Development Test Activity at Fort Rucker as an Experimental Test Pilot, where he flew a wide range of helicopters — including the only liquid-methane-fueled helicopter ever to fly, as well as Russian "Hip" and "Hind D" aircraft. He retired from the Army in 1988.

In retirement, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Anderson spent 18 months in Egypt as a project manager and pilot, followed by seven years as an Experimental Test Pilot in El Paso, Texas, flying additional Russian aircraft including the "Hoplite," "Haze-A," "Hind-E," and "Helix," along with several fixed-wing types. David was an Associate Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and served as President and CEO of Global Helicopter Technology, Inc., in Arlington.

His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, the Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal with 49 oak leaf clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, among others.

He is survived by his wife, Jillian (Bragg) Anderson, his children Rachel Paul (David), Sarah Snyder (Kevin), Michael Anderson (Allison), Stephen Anderson, Aaron Chaffin (Beth), his sister Nancy, nineteen grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his wife Patricia (Finnegan) Anderson, parents Dorothy and Joe Anderson, brother Paul Anderson and grandson Colin Kanady.

David had a weakness for peach cobbler, cookies, ice cream sundaes and pecan pie. He adored his devoted wife and was proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. In keeping with family tradition, he was an expert baker who could always be counted upon to provide homemade bread for holidays and family celebrations. His life was one of remarkable service — to his country, to his fellow soldiers, and to the field of aviation he devoted his career to advancing. He will be deeply missed.