Serving as a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, Private First Class James Anderson Jr. was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on February 28, 1967 northwest of Cam Lo, Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. At the time he was serving with 2d Platoon, Company F, 2d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division (Rein) FMF. Anderson was 20 years old.
Anderson was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 21, 1968. Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., presented by Sec. of the Navy Paul R. Ignatius to his family.
Anderson was born on January 22, 1947 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California. He is buried at Lincoln Memorial Park in Compton, California.
Anderson is one of 274 Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War and one of 142 credited to California.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Company F was advancing in dense jungle northwest of Cam Lo in an effort to extract a heavily besieged reconnaissance patrol. Pfc. Anderson's platoon was the lead element and had advanced only about 200 meters when they were brought under extremely intense enemy small-arms and automatic-weapons fire. The platoon reacted swiftly, getting on line as best they could in the thick terrain, and began returning fire. Pfc. Anderson found himself tightly bunched together with the other members of the platoon only 20 meters from the enemy positions. As the firefight continued several of the men were wounded by the deadly enemy assault. Suddenly, an enemy grenade landed in the midst of the marines and rolled alongside Pfc. Anderson's head. Unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his personal safety, he reached out, grasped the grenade, pulled it to his chest and curled around it as it went off. Although several marines received shrapnel from the grenade, his body absorbed the major force of the explosion. In this singularly heroic act, Pfc. Anderson saved his comrades from serious injury and possible death. His personal heroism, extraordinary valor, and inspirational supreme self-sacrifice reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (February 28, 1967).
- Age at death: 20
- Resting place: Lincoln Memorial Park
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, James Anderson Jr. received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Vietnam War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in California →
Timeline
- January 22, 1947Born in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California
- February 28, 1967Act of valor — northwest of Cam Lo, Republic of VietnamAge 20. 2d Platoon, Company F, 2d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division (Rein) FMF Killed in action.
- August 21, 1968Medal of Honor presented posthumouslyMarine Barracks, Washington, D.C., presented by Sec. of the Navy Paul R. Ignatius to his family
- Resting placeLincoln Memorial ParkCompton, California
Biography
Private First Class James Anderson Jr. (January 22, 1947 – February 28, 1967) was a United States Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for heroism while serving in Vietnam in February 1967. When his Medal of Honor was awarded on August 21, 1968, he became the first African American U.S. Marine recipient of the Medal of Honor while serving in Vietnam. Joining the U. S. Marine Corps in 1966, Anderson took part in Operation Prairie II. During this operation, his platoon was advancing through the jungle near Cam Lo Combat Base when they were ambushed by North Vietnamese forces. Anderson jumped on a grenade thrown by a Vietnamese soldier and was killed in action.
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