The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander (CEC) Richard E. Anderson (NSN: 0-532024), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion NINE (USMCB-9) in the Republic of Vietnam from June 1965 to February 1966. Exhibiting outstanding professional skill and resourcefulness, Commander Anderson planned and directed the deployment of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion NINE to Vietnam. Assigned a camp site in an un-secured area, he skillfully planned and directed the camp construction which has subsequently withstood two heavy attacks from the insurgent Viet Cong and has become a model camp site for future NMCB camps in Vietnam. Under his sound and inspiring leadership, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion NINE constructed a complex 400-bed station hospital, replaced a damaged 310-foot section of the DaNang River Bridge, constructed an extremely tortuous road on top of Monkey Mountain to a vitally needed LAAM site, erected massive covered storage for protection of critical supply items, and built many other smaller, but urgently required projects. Commander Anderson’s leadership, judgment and devotion to duty throughout, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Anderson is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain (CEC) Richard E. Anderson (NSN: 0-532024), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict gains the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong communist aggressors in the Republic of Vietnam from November 1970 to October 1971. While serving as the Director of Construction, Southern Area, then as Deputy Officer in Charge of Construction for Operations and later as Deputy Officer in Charge of Construction, Republic of Vietnam, Captain Anderson performed his duties in an exemplary manner. As Director of Construction, Southern Area, he was responsible for the coordination and supervision of a $26 million construction effort in Military Regions III and IV. This responsibility was met with confident leadership and success while it encompassed diverse and geographically remote construction projects and sites which subjected him to enemy harassment and attack. Major bridges, highway construction, small craft bases, advisor compounds and depot upgrades were accomplished by the Cost Plus Award Fee contractor and numerous Lump Sum contractors under his direction. As Deputy Officer in Charge of Construction for Operations, he served with distinction. The 22,000 man Cost Plus Award Fee Contract was entirely re-oriented from an on-going effort to an integrated effort for completion by a deadline date. As Deputy Officer in Charge of Construction, Republic of Vietnam, Captain Anderson developed the completion schedule for the Cost Plus Award Fee Contract for $125 million of construction with a balanced work force, material stockpile and equipment assets leading to an efficient and timely termination. His performance was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Anderson is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)