The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Robert Victor Anderson (MCSN: 0-48854), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Regimental Artillery Air Observer of Headquarters Battery, Eleventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF,, in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 14 June 1951. First Lieutenant Anderson, flying in a slow unarmed aircraft, observed approximately two hundred enemy troops entrenched on a hillside towards which friendly ground forces were advancing. Recognizing the threat posed by the large enemy force, he quickly called in artillery fire on the positions, flying over it at dangerously low altitudes in order to adjust the fire. Despite the fact that the enemy directed intense automatic weapons and small arms fire on his vulnerable aircraft, he courageously refused to leave the area until the position had been neutralized by artillery fire, and heavy casualties taken by the enemy. His bravery and alertness aided materially in the subsequent seizure of the strategic ground. First Lieutenant Anderson’s efficient actions and fearless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
First LieutenantRegiment:
11th MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.)Action Date:
May 29, 1951
Board Serial 268 (March 19, 1969)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Robert Victor Anderson (MCSN: 0-48854), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Regimental Artillery Air Observer of Headquarters Battery, Eleventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 29 May 1951. First Lieutenant Anderson was flying on a reconnaissance mission forward of friendly lines in a slow unarmed aircraft, when he observed a large enemy force placing intense fire on friendly troops. Realizing that the friendly unit was unable to see the enemy positions from its location, he courageously made a low pass through the heavy enemy fire to drop a message to the unit, and then flew low over the enemy to mark their positions with smoke grenades. Despite the fact that his aircraft was extremely damaged by enemy fire, he fearlessly and with complete disregard for his own personal safety repeatedly flew over the enemy at extremely low altitudes to assist in adjusting artillery fire, which neutralized the sector and enabled the advancing troops to seize their objective. First Lieutenant Anderson’s unswerving devotion to duty and great personal bravery were an inspiration to all who observed him, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelAction Date:
July 20, 1970 – July 31, 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Robert Victor Anderson (MCSN: 0-48854), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director, Marine Corps and Amphibious Electronics Division, Naval Electronic Systems Command from 20 July 1970 to 31 July 1973. An extremely competent and resourceful leader with a vast fund of operational knowledge and impressive technical insight, Colonel Anderson has been responsible for and directly supervised a broad spectrum of communications-electronics research, development and production programs of vital importance to the Marine Corps and the Navy. Ranging from communications to radar and command and control, the equipment resulting from these programs has set new standards for performance and efficiency and has made an important contribution to the operational readiness and effectiveness of the Marine Corps and Navy amphibious forces. Colonel Anderson’s unceasing efforts to seek out, validate and satisfy operational requirements have made a lasting contribution to Marine Corps and Navy research and development and fostered improved communications and cooperation between the operating forces and the research and development community. By his outstanding leadership, judgment and inspiring devotion to duty throughout, Colonel Anderson upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.