The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel James R. Anderson (MCSN: 0-6227), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Pilot and Commanding Officer of Marine All Weather Fighter Squadron Five Hundred Forty-Two (VMF(AW)-542), and subsequently as Commanding Officer of Marine All Weather Fighter Squadron Five Hundred Thirteen (VMF(AW)-513), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea from 23 February to 30 June 1951. A superb airman and skilled leader, Lieutenant Colonel Anderson personally led his squadron in repeated air strikes on hostile targets throughout this period and, despite the hazards involved in carrying out attacks at night and during instrument weather conditions, aided materially in providing effective support to friendly ground forces. On one occasion, he skillfully maneuvered his aircraft in darkness over rugged terrain and through cloud base lower than the surrounding peaks, pressing home daring attacks on an enemy truck column in the face of intense hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire and inflicting severe damage on the enemy. Flying in instrument conditions on another flight, he guided his section through hostile anti-aircraft fire down into the target area and launched bold attacks on a convoy of enemy vehicles. Locating the hostile gun positions, he released his bombs at minimum range in the face of intense hostile fire and scored direct hits on the enemy emplacements. His outstanding courage and devotion to duty inspired all those who served with him and reflect great credit upon Lieutenant Colonel Anderson and the United States Naval Service.