The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Arland Thomas Anderson (NSN: 0-431139), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with Fighter Squadron SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY-THREE (VF-783), attached to Carrier Air Group 102, operating from the U.S.S. BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA-31). On 27 September 1951, he led his section on a bridge strike over hostile enemy-held North Korean territory in the vicinity of strongly defended Hamhung. Lieutenant Anderson, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, made numerous strafing attacks against enemy troops and machine gun positions, despite small arms and anti-aircraft fire in a highly successful effort to rescue a pilot of his flight forced to crash land in the Songchon River as a result of sustaining a hit from enemy anti-aircraft fire. Lieutenant Anderson’s actions materially contributed to the destruction of one enemy bridge, in excess of 20 enemy troops killed and the rescue of a fellow naval aviator shot down over enemy territory. His leadership, courage, skilled airmanship, initiative, and judgment were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.