The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Burtis W. Anderson (MCSN: 0-8249), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company B, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Mariana Islands, from 3 to 5 August 1944. Skilled and aggressive in continued action against Japanese resistance, Captain Anderson personally directed the attack against a strongly fortified roadblock on 3 August. Although subjected to heavy enemy rifle and machine gun fire and to artillery entrenched along the road, he fearlessly moved throughout his company’s zone of action to issue orders verbally to his Platoon Leaders and, by his courageous actions, inspired his men to overrun the enemy fortifications and secure the objective. Later, in a battle to destroy artillery forces defending a similar roadblock, he skillfully directed his Company in attacking through heavy brush and, again leading his platoons from positions within point-blank range of the enemy’s weapons, quickly annihilated the hostile forces in his sector. His coolness under fire and inspiring leadership throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.