The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Robert V. Anderson (MCSN: 0-37138), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy as a member of a Marine Attack Squadron in Korea. On 19 April 1953, Captain Anderson led a division of Marine attack aircraft against heavily defended and well entrenched enemy positions that had been inflicting damage on friendly front line troops. As he approached the target area, Captain Anderson instructed his flight to orbit out of range of hostile anti-aircraft fire while he marked the carefully camouflaged objective. Diving to minimum altitude through an intense barrage of hostile fire, he scored a direct bomb hit that clearly defined the target for the remainder of the flight. He then re-joined the orbiting aircraft and led repeated bombing and strafing attacks that destroyed ten enemy personnel shelters and five mortar positions. Captain Anderson’s own bombing accuracy and exemplary leadership were largely responsible for the success of a mission that inflicted heavy enemy casualties and substantially reduced pressure on advancing elements of the United Nations ground forces. His courageous conduct, outstanding initiative and steadfast devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.