Marion was born on the 13th of November, 1839 in Decantur County, Indiana and served in the Union Army from 1861 until 1865. He was a first sergeant with Company D of the 51st Indiana Infantry and it was his actions during the Battle of Nashville that would earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads: “Led his regiment over 5 lines of the enemy's works, where he fell, severely wounded.”

Despite being wounded, Marion continued to serve until the 16th of June 1865, when he resigned his commission. His actions saw him promoted to 2nd lieutenant and then captain. Marion received the Medal of Honor 29 years later on the 1st of September 1893. Marion T Anderson died on the 7th of February, 1904 at the age of 64 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery; section 1, site 512.