The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class William Robert Anderson (NSN: 3759127), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy. On the night of 30 November – 1 December 1942, during the engagement with enemy surface forces off Tassafaronga, Guadalcanal, in which the Flagship of the Task Force the U.S.S. MINNEAPOLIS (CA-36) participated, Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class Anderson distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism. On that night the ship suffered severe and critical damage from being torpedoed, the forward engine room became so filled and insufferably heated from super-heated steam from what was believed to be a ruptured steam line, as to force the engine room personnel to abandon that station. To re-enter and resume operation of this engine room, it appeared imperative that a valve be closed to shut off the further escape of super-heated steam therein. Well knowing the personal risk involved, with extreme heroism and intrepidity, Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class Anderson volunteered to enter the engine room and close the valve. At peril to himself, Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class Anderson twice entered the engine room and twice was forced out. On the third attempt, however, he located and closed the designated valve. Although it subsequently developed that the steam leak came from another source, Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class Anderson had heroically carried out the dangerous task assigned to him. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.