SILVER STAR

Lieutenant Lee Anderson, Lima Company

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
HEADQUARTERS. FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC
FPO, SAN FRANCISCO, 96602

In the name of the President of the United States, the Commanding General,
Fleet Marine Force, Pacific takes pleas­ure in presenting the SILVER STAR
MEDAL to

SECOND LIEUTENANT LEE H. ANDERSON
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as A Platoon Commander with Company L, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division on 24 July 1966 in connection with operations against the
enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. During Operation Hastings in Quang Tri Province, Second Lieutenant ANDERSON led his platoon to the-position of a Company which had been attacked by a North Vietnamese battalion. Subsequently, the position was again attacked by the determined enemy force and a vicious fire fight ensued. Braving intense hostile fire, he courageously moved among his men, directing their fire and offering them
words of encouragement. Under his inspiring leadership, his platoon gained fire superiority, which resulted in seven enemy killed, one of which he killed himself. Although five additional deaths were estimated to have been
inflicted on the enemy and other casualties were observed being dragged away by the remainder of the enemy unit, Second Lieutenant ANDERSON's platoon sustained only light casualties. Exhibiting uncommon initiative and sound judgment, he called in air strikes to in­sure the complete destruction of the enemy, but the dense jungle canopy prevented the pilots from locating the North Vietnamese position. With complete disregard for his own safety, Second Lieutenant ANDERSON ran forward of his own lines on four separate occasions to throw smoke grenades into enemy positions, marking them for the aircraft overhead. His heroic and selfless actions insured the success of the close air support mission and the ultimate destruction of the North Vietnamese force. By his outstanding leadership, fearless determination in the face of enemy fire and loyal devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant ANDERSON upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the 'United States Naval Service."

FOR THE PRESIDENT,


A. R. KIER
MAJOR GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS
ACTING


TEMPORARY CITATION