In 2024, Highland Cemetery received a military marker for Private Leo Dunbar Anderson. A unique detail about his story is that he had passed away in 1942 and was never given a marker for his grave. After 82 years, this gentleman was honored for his military service. He was part of the “7th Ferrying Group” in World War II. The following is a bit of history concerning that group, and of Private Anderson’s part in their mission.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States’ entry into the war, a small contingent of military flight crews and administrative personnel transferred to Seattle, Washington. They became the “7th Ferrying Group”, which began ferrying B-17’s from the Boeing factory in Seattle to modification centers and airbases nationwide. In May of 1942, after Germany attacked Russia, they moved their headquarters from Seattle to Gore Field at Great Falls, MT. Gore Field was “removed from danger of coastal attack, had ready-made landing fields, two large hangars and 300 clear flying days a year, and was at the base of the north-west route to Alaska.” (Cascade County Historical Society Archives)
The goal of the “7th Ferrying Group” was to transport aircraft and supplies from Great Falls to Ladd Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska. From there, they were delivered by Russian pilots to the Soviet Union, where they were needed to fight Hitler. This group also delivered aircraft to other airbases in the U.S and around the world. There were approximately 160 enlisted men and commanders involved in this operation at Gore Field. Soviet pilots, procurement officials, and diplomats were also assigned here. By the end of WWII, 7,926 aircraft had been delivered by “the 7th” to the Soviet Union by way of Alaska, losing only 68. The last flight was on September 20, 1945.
Leo Dunbar Anderson was born on March 6, 1912, in California. He was stationed in Great Falls with the “7th”. He had been in Montana approximately two months at the time of his death. On November 12, 1942, Anderson got off duty and returned to his barracks. The next morning, when he did not report for duty, he was found deceased in his bed at the Gore Hill barracks. The Air Force physician and Dr. Leroy McBurney, the county coroner, reported that Anderson had died from a heart attack. Soldiers who had been associated with him conducted military honors and acted as pallbearers. His wife, Clara, came from Seattle to attend the service.
By Donna Winters: February 15, 2026 – Great Falls, Mt
Author: Staff
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