The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Kermit D. Anderson (ASN: 0-2010787), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 232d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division. On 19 March 1945, at Ludwigswinkel, Germany, while leading his platoon in supporting the bridgehead, Lieutenant Anderson found the 1st Platoon of his company disorganized. Taking command of both platoons, he placed them in position and then made his way under heavy mortar and small arms fire from one foxhole to another organizing the men. He continuously exposed himself to enemy fire to locate enemy machine gun nests so that the tanks supporting his platoon could fire upon them. When one of his men was wounded, Lieutenant Anderson administered first aid and carried the wounded man to safety through intense enemy small arms and mortar fire.