The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant Steven L. Anderson (ASN: RA-13034914), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of 2d Reconnaissance Company, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 30 May 1951, in the vicinity of Inje, Korea. Oh that date, he was the leader of an armored patrol consisting of one M-24 light tank and one M-39 personnel carrier. Shortly after leaving Inje the lead vehicle struck a mine. One track was destroyed and the tank was disabled. Concurrent with the mine explosion, an estimated enemy platoon using grenades, automatic weapons and a heavy machine gun attacked from ambush positions. Sergeant Anderson gave the order to abandon the tank and mounted the outside of the turret in order to fire upon the enemy machine gun to his immediate left rear. His fire killed two of the enemy gunners and silenced the hostile machine gun during the remainder of the engagement. While his crew was abandoning the tank, Sergeant Anderson delivered continuous machine gun fire into the enemy’s position, inflicting an estimated five casualties upon the ambush force. He left his post at the machine gun only after insuring himself’ that the entire crew had safely evacuated the tank. He then directed the crew to fall back and covered their withdrawal by firing into the enemy with his carbine. At that moment an enemy anti-tank rocket and an anti-tank grenade struck the tank, causing it to catch fire. Despite this intensive enemy action, Sergeant Anderson continued to cover the withdrawal of his crew by placing carbine fire upon the enemy until the crew had safely reached their positions. During this action, he inflicted five more casualties upon the enemy. By pinning down the ambush force, Sergeant Anderson prevented a concentrated attack both upon his tank crew and upon the rifle squad mounted in the personnel carrier to the rear. The gallantry displayed by Sergeant Anderson reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.