The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class [then Corporal] Francis E. Anderson (ASN: US-55119498), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On the morning of 22 January 1952, a platoon of Company A, 1st Battalion, of which Sergeant Anderson was a member, was assigned the mission of engaging the enemy on a hill in the vicinity of Majon-ni, Korea. Upon approaching the objective, the first squad advanced to the front of the platoon to prevent the entire unit from being subjected to an anticipated enemy ambush. As the elements of the advance squad were making their way across an open field, they were trapped in their exposed positions by a sudden and intense hail of enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire. Sergeant Anderson, upon observing the plight of the friendly squad, paid no heed to his personal safety as he immediately left his covered position, grasped a light machine gun and ammunition, courageously dashed through the enemy fire and exploding hostile grenades, to an elevated vantage point, where he quickly set up his machine gun and commenced firing directly upon the foe. He delivered such an accurate, crucial and sustained volley of fire upon the fanatical hostile forces, that many of them were killed in their trenches and the remainder fled in hysterics, leaving their weapons and equipment behind. When the friendly forces were ordered to withdraw due to encountering hostile fire from three nearby enemy-occupied hills, he remained in his exposed position covering their retrograde movement until he was certain that the entire platoon had safely withdrawn. He then joined his unit, carrying his machine gun with him. Sergeant Anderson’s extreme gallantry and intrepid actions were directly responsible for killing fifty and wounding countless others of the enemy and saving the lives of many of his fellow soldiers. His outstanding courage enhanced the success of the friendly unit’s mission and reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.