The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Wayne Marshall Anderson, United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Command and Control Detachment Central, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Anderson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions during the period from 22 through 24 August 1969 while serving as a squad leader during a reconnaissance mission deep within enemy-held territory. Having established a position on a hill crest, Sergeant Anderson’s element was attacked in late afternoon by two North Vietnamese platoons employing rifles, machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades. After rushing from position to position to direct the fire of his Vietnamese paramilitary comrades, Sergeant Anderson returned fire on the assaulting force, killing several enemy soldiers. After dark hostile soldiers crept within ten meters and began throwing hand grenades. Sergeant Anderson, refusing to take cover, moved through the defensive emplacements directing his grenadiers in their valiant efforts against the enemy. At dawn as the hostile force was driven back with air strikes, Sergeant Anderson seized a machine gun to pour a concentration of fire on the fleeing enemy. Despite heavy sniper fire that rained around him, he continued his assault until extracted by helicopter. Sergeant Anderson’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant [then Sergeant] Wayne Marshall Anderson, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Command and Control Detachment Central, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Anderson distinguished himself on 3 December 1969 while serving as squad leader with a platoon of Vietnamese civilian irregulars during an exploitation mission deep in enemy-controlled territory in the Republic of Vietnam. The day after it was inserted by helicopter into its planned area of operations, the platoon made contact with an estimated company of North Vietnamese regulars. A storm of rifle grenade, machine gun, and small arms fire rained down on the platoon from every side. Even though his section of the platoon’s defensive perimeter was absorbing most of the hostile barrages, with grazing fire coming from as close as twenty-five meters away, Sergeant Anderson rose to his feet and began moving among his men checking on their welfare and directing their return fire on the adversary. As he moved through the open, without the slightest hesitation, shouting commands and encouragement to his troops, Sergeant Anderson was mortally wounded when a mortar round impacted in his path. Emboldened by Sergeant Anderson’s courage in the face of enemy fire, the Vietnamese civilian irregulars successfully turned back the attackers. Sergeant Anderson’s gallantry in action, at the cost of his life, was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.