In June 1963, he became chief of staff of Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG), Vietnam and served in that capacity until the summer of 1964, when he returned to the U.S. For his service with the MAAG, he was awarded the Legion of Merit and gold stars in lieu of his 7th and 8th Air Medals. In the late summer of 1964, Anderson became the first program coordinator for the Marine Tactical Data System, the largest R&D effort in USMC history. He was promoted to brigadier general on January 3, 1966, and, in February, assumed duty as deputy chief of staff (RD&S), HQMC, the first aviator to be assigned that position. He also continued as the Marine Corps Tactical Data System Program Coordinator. For that duty he was awarded a gold star in lieu of a second Legion of Merit.