David Anderson (Earth-4664)

"For us, the storm has passed. The war is over. But let us never forget those who journeyed into the howling dark and did not return. For their decision required courage beyond measure, sacrifice, and unshakable conviction that their fight...our fight...was elsewhere. As we start to rebuild, this hillside will remain barren, a memorial to heroes fallen. They ennobled all of us...and they shall not be forgotten."

Fleet Admiral Lord David Anderson (service number 07960-48392-DA) is a flag officer of the SA Navy and Chief of Naval Operations. In this capacity, he served as the de facto leader of Humanity's war effort during the latter years of the Alliance Federation-Covenant Empire War.

Early Life
Anderson was born on June 8, 2495 to Ursula and Paul Anderson, a nurse and flight mechanic respectively, in the city of London on Earth, and was the last of three children by his parents' second marriage.

Early Covenant War Years and the Spirit of Fire
After becoming a British noble by his acts on the Inssurectionist War, Anderson served as James Cutter's executive officer onboard the SA Spirit of Fire until November 2530, when David took command of his own vessel, the SA Normandy.

Three months later, during the Battle of Altakiril, Anderson was assigned to recover a log buoy dropped by the Spirit of Fire. However, as the Turian colony was already deemed lost by Federation Council command, Normandy was also ordered to withhold from engaging the enemy in combat. However, Anderson, enraged by the massive losses the Covenant Empire had already inflicted on Humans and other sentients, ordered his crew to attack a CPV-Class Heavy Destroyer. Consequently, the Spirit of Fire's log buoy was not recovered. Anderson would subsequently view himself as responsible for the Spirit of Fire's disappearance.

Out of guilt, Anderson provided financial support for both Cutter's legitimate family (his apparent widow Mary and their daughter) and his secret one, supporting Daniel Clayton's mother for years.

Latter Years
Anderson was a decorated combat veteran as the Alliance Federation-Covenant Empire War neared its end. SPARTANs saved his life twice and he generally defended the program against its detractors, such as Colonel James Ackerson. David met John-117 prior to the Fall of Reach.

He had been promoted to Fleet Admiral and taken a prominent seat on the Alliance Federation Council as the SA's Chief of Naval Operations by September 4, 2552. In the aftermath of the Fall of Reach, Anderson received Lieutenant Lance Wagner's report on the Fall of Reach in front of the Council. The admiral was interested in the fate of the SA Pillar of Autumn and its SPARTAN-II, and was dismayed to find most of the supersoldiers had been expended during the battle.