James Sanderson (naval officer)

James Richard "Sandy" Sanderson (December 27, 1925 – August 10, 2010) was a United States Navy Vice Admiral. He was born in Selma, California and died in Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Virginia; he had lived in Virginia Beach, Virginia for a long time. His commands included; commanding officer of USS Rainier (AE-5), USS Saratoga (CV-60), and Battle Force, United States Sixth Fleet; and Deputy Commander Atlantic Command, Atlantic Fleet. He entered the Navy Aviation V-5 program in 1943 (some say March 1944) and retired from the Navy in April 1983.

Vice Admiral Sanderson was awarded the Legion of Merit four times, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal and five Air Medals.

Sanderson is an Eagle Scout and recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). He has been an active supporter of Scouting throughout his life at many levels, including helping host the annual Eagle Recognition Dinner for BSA's Tidewater Council new Eagle Scouts.