Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    1st Marines

    Division:

    1st Marine Division

    Action Date:

    September 15, 1944

    Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 1740-55 (February 6, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Robert P. Anderson (MCSN: 419849), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Leader of a Fire Team in an Assault Platoon of Company K, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, 15 September 1944. Observing that Marine personnel on the landing beach as well as in his own platoon were receiving heavy machine gun fire from an enemy pillbox, Corporal Anderson crawled through the undergrowth to the side of the pillbox and, climbing on top of the installation, set off a grenade, killing or driving out the occupants. After those driven out were annihilated by himself and members of his fire team deployed in the rear of the strong point, he led his men to the flank of another pillbox from which the fire of an anti-boat gun was being directed at our landing craft on the beach. While members of his team threw smoke grenades at the embrasure of the pillbox, he maneuvered to an advantageous position and fired an anti-tank rifle grenade at the barrel of the hostile gun. Although his first attempt failed, he held his position and, repeating his efforts, placed a direct hit on the weapon, destroying it and its crew and relieving a serious threat to the landing beach. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Corporal Anderson and the United States Naval Service.