The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Torpedoman First Class Larry Gene Aanderud (NSN: 5927703), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong communist aggressors in the Republic of Vietnam on 31 August 1970. On 29 August 1970 while routinely searching for a diesel engine lost from a mined Vietnamese Navy Yabuta junk, Petty Officer Aanderud discovered a large object which upon closer inspection turned out to be a mine of unknown type. One end of the mine was covered with a plastic wrapped bundle. After removing the bundle, he discovered that it contained fifteen to twenty pounds of soft orange-colored explosive. On 31 August, Petty Officer Aanderud and another member of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team conducted a recovery operation of the mine. Due to the non-availability of a suitable remote operating lifting device, it was decided to attempt recovery of the mine by towing. Upon making a close-in inspection dive, he recognized the mine as an enemy type which had never before been recovered from the bottom after being planted and armed. Accompanied by the other diver, he performed the tie into the mine. Through the combined efforts of the boat crews and the divers, the mine was lifted off the bottom and taken to the beach. After a seventy-two hour waiting period, he and the other diver performed the “rendering safe procedures’ on the mine. During the detailed stripping of the mine, it was learned that the mine was a new unit and had been fully operative throughout the recover and “rendering safe procedures.” Petty Officer Aanderud’s devotion to duty, courage under fire, exemplary professionalism and outstanding leadership were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.