The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Fernald Philip Anderson (NSN: 82629), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 1 September to 12 September 1944, as Commanding officer of a Catalina Squadron engaged in Blackcat operations in the Netherlands East Indies. Lieutenant Commander Anderson participated in numerous hazardous night patrol in the vicinity of strong enemy bases, fearlessly seeking out the enemy and courageously attacking him. He carried out three daring mast-head attacks, sinking two enemy warships, a small freighter, and heavily damaging a freighter-transport. In addition numerous loaded and armed craft were destroyed by strafing. Symbolizing the return of Allied power to the Japanese bastions in the Philippines, he piloted the first aircraft to penetrate the enemy stronghold of Zamboanga, the Sulu Sea and Northern Borneo. In all these operations he displayed outstanding leadership, initiative, and aggressiveness which served as an inspiration to those under his command. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Commander Anderson is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)