The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Robert L. Anderson (NSN: 0o-414485), United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight in the performance of his duties while serving with Air Transport Squadron THIRTY-TWO, on 1 August 1956. As Pilot of a jet aircraft on a ferry flight, Lieutenant Commander Anderson prevented the loss of many lives by his heroic and outstanding actions. When his aircraft caught fire immediately upon take-off over the city of El Paso, Texas, Lieutenant Commander anderson with complete disregard of personal safety, but thinking only of the danger of a fully fueled jet aircraft crashing uncontrolled into a densely populated area, elected not to abandon, but remained with his plane and guided it clear of a housing area and school building. In his decision and successful accomplishment of this task Lieutenant Commander Anderson sacrificed his life. His conduct, courage, successful application of professional skill, and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.