The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Herbert H. Anderson (NSN: 0-100221), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from March 1970 to March 1971 as Commander South Atlantic Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet and as Commander Task Force EIGHTY-SIX. Displaying outstanding leadership, planning and managerial abilities, Rear Admiral Anderson effectively exercised operational control over assigned ships and units, provided superior logistic support to forces operating within his area of responsibility, and coordinated with other unified commanders in the area intelligence matters of vital interest to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Rear Admiral Anderson was responsible for and directly supervised the planning and execution of Combined Exercise UNITAS XI, a training operation involving ships and aircraft of the United States and those of eight major maritime nations of South America. He skillfully commanded the combined task force in the highly successful circumnavigation of South America, conducting both bilateral and multilateral training exercises en route; rescheduled port visits to gain maximum impact from the presence of United States forces, and demonstrated to military and civilian dignitaries of South America the vital need and importance of sea power. Through his diligent efforts and expertise in protocol, Rear Admiral Anderson won the acclaim of United States diplomatic agencies throughout South America. His sound judgment, professional competence, and inspiring devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and the Atlantic Command, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.