The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Joseph Santos Anderson (MCSN: 2348108), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Company E, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 13 March 1968, Private First Class Anderson’s platoon was participating in a two-company assault against fortified North Vietnamese positions in Quang Tri Province. Attacking across a river, the Marines came under heavy mortar, artillery and small arms fire as they reached the river bank which temporarily halted their advance. Completely disregarding his own safety, Private First Class Anderson maneuvered forward approximately thirty meters where he observed two North Vietnamese soldiers in a bunker to the right flank of his unit. Immediately taking the enemy under fire, he assaulted the emplacement and was wounded several times as he advanced. Undaunted, he continued his assault and threw a grenade as he neared the bunker, killing both of the enemy and destroying their position. Although he was subsequently medically evacuated, his daring actions enabled his companions to resume their advance and accomplish the mission. By his bold courage, initiative and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Private First Class Anderson upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.