Charles Lee Anderson

Technical Sergeant, U. S. Army

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 68 (May 16, 1945)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant [then Sergeant] Charles L. Anderson (ASN: 18079491), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 2d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 16 February 1944, on the ****, Beachhead.
Technical Sergeant Anderson found himself to be the senior Non-Commissioned Officer in the company when both the company commander and remaining lieutenant were wounded during an enemy assault which was later revealed to be the biggest effort to drive the Allies from the beachhead. Technical Sergeant Anderson took command of the company and continually exposed himself to direct fire while skillfully controlling the fire of his own men against the oncoming enemy. When both the gunner and assistant gunner of a machine gun were killed, he personally took over and operated the gun, enabling the company to keep up a withering fire which stopped the advancing SS troops cold.
Technical Sergeant Anderson's quick thinking and superior leadership undoubtedly prevented an enemy breakthrough in that sector and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Airborne Forces.