The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Hermann L. Anderson (MCSN: 0-38305), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against enemy Japanese forces while serving with a Marine Regimental Weapons Company on Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands, on 12 April 1945. While investigating a mine shaft, a Marine was shot and seriously wounded by enemy fire coming from the entrance of a well-concealed cave at the bottom of the shaft. Second Lieutenant Anderson, while passing by the shaft, noticed a group of Marines undecided on how to extricate the wounded Marine. He, voluntarily and with utter disregard for his own personal safety, immediately lowered himself to the bottom of the shaft and, while exposed to enemy fire, tied a rope around the wounded Marine who was then lifted to safety. Before seeking safety for himself, Second Lieutenant Anderson, armed with only a pistol, shot and killed the enemy Japanese soldier. Through his quick action the life of a seriously wounded Marine was saved. His courageous action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.