The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Petty Officer First Class James L. Anderson, United States Navy, for gallantry in action against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 14 November 1967, Petty Officer Anderson was piloting his Patrol Boat River ONE HUNDRED FORTY-FOUR (PBR-144) along a river when he discovered a water taxi carrying South Vietnamese troops under heavy enemy fire. The South Vietnamese boat absorbed several hits and began to burn. Petty Officer Anderson twice placed his boat between the enemy fire and the water taxi, attempting to suppress the fire. Although his boat almost immediately ran out of ammunition, he maneuvered his boat alongside the burning taxi, drawing heavy automatic weapons and rifle fire from both river banks. Despite this fire, he held his PDR alongside and directed the rescue of 16 seriously wounded soldiers from the water taxi and nearby waters. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Petty Officer First Class Anderson, 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 Navy.