Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Corporal

Unit:

Company K, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division "The Old Breed", U.S. Marine Corps

Awarded on:

February 6th, 1945

Awarded for:

Operation Stalemate II

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, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, on Peleliu Island, 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 fearlessly crawled through the undergrowth to the side of the pillbox, climbed on top and set off a grenade killing and driving out the occupants. Those driven out were killed by the rifle fire of Corporal Anderson and the members of his fire team when he had developed to the rear of the pillbox. Corporal Anderson then led his fire team to the flank of another enemy pillbox which was firing an anti-boat gun with damaging effect on our landing craft on the beach. While members of his fire team threw smoke grenades at the embrasure of the pillbox, he, with complete disregard for personal safety, maneuvered to an advantageous position and fired an attack rifle grenade at he barrel of the enemy gun. His first attempt failed, but he held his position, repeated his attempt and placed a direct hit on the weapon, thus destroying it and its crew and relieving a serious threat to the landing beach. His brilliant leadership, great personal gallantry and unswerving devotion to duty in the face of grave danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

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