The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Jesse Andrew Anderson (NSN: 0-151904), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in the engagement and destruction of an enemy bombing plane in North African waters. On 20 April 1943, Ensign Anderson was Officer-in-Charge of LCT(5)-33, when an approaching enemy plane was sighted. He promptly ordered his crew to battle stations, and, with unflinching resolution and determination, although his craft had been in commission but eleven days and had no opportunity for gunnery practices, maneuvered his craft so skillfully to meet the ensuing bombing attack that the plane was destroyed by fire from two twenty millimeter guns, his craft receiving no damage in the action. The leadership and prompt and decisive action displayed by Ensign Anderson on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and upon the United States Naval Service.