Chief Warrant Officer Three Michael F. Anderson was born on 19 September 1954 in Bloomington, Minnesota. He graduated in 1972 from Peoria High School in Peoria, Illinois, and then attended Purdue University. CW3 Anderson later received his Associate Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Embry- Riddle University in 1988. His first assignment as a helicopter pilot was with Delta Company, 158th Aviation Battalion at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in June 1980. He was then assigned as a Founding Night Stalker, to Charlie Company, 101st Aviation Battalion, as it was designated one of the first Night Stalker companies in the Task Force.

CW3 Anderson became one of the youngest Flight Leads in the history of the Task Force. While he served as one of the Air Movement Control Officers, he introduced numerous aircraft modifications and load out techniques that has given the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) its unprecedented deployment capabilities. He was competent, aggressive, confident, loyal, and original.

On 21 February 1991, CW3 Anderson and the crew of aircraft #251 responded to a request for an urgent medical evacuation deep in enemy territory. Under zero illumination, he flew his aircraft at an extremely low altitude to evade air defense artillery threat. In spite of dense fog, which he could not increase altitude to avoid, and against which his night vision equipment was useless, he continued his mission by relying on his experience using navigational instruments and extracted a badly wounded Soldier. While returning to the medical facility, he encountered a sandstorm and lost visual reference with the ground. Subsequently the aircraft crashed and CW3 Anderson selflessly gave his life for his country. For his extraordinary heroism he was posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Purple Heart.

CW3 Anderson is survived by his wife, Anne; sons, Eric and Kyle; daughter, Megan; sisters, Nancy and Jeannette; and brother, Edwin. He is laid to rest in Madison, Tennessee, at Nashville National Cemetery, Section 1, Site 10c. Building #7268 on GEN Brown Compound at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, is dedicated in his honor as Anderson Hangar.