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 Russell L. Anderson, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the Medical Detachment, 289th Infantry Regiment, 75th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. Receiving a message that a seriously wounded soldier was lying exposed to further enemy fire 500 yards forward near Bovinghausen, Germany, Sergeant Anderson and three comrades set out to evacuate him. En route these litter bearers encountered severe sniper and machine gun fire but managed to reach the side of their wounded comrade uninjured. Crawling great distances and protecting the wounded man with their own bodies, the litter bearers successfully evacuated him. The gallantry and fortitude displayed by Sergeant Anderson at the risk of his own life, and against terrific odds, reflect great credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.