Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Sergeant First Class Webster Anderson received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 15, 1967 in Tam Ky, Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. At the time he was serving with Battery A, 2d Battalion, 320th Artillery, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). Anderson was 34 years old.
The medal was presented on November 24, 1969, 2 years after the action.
Anderson was born on July 15, 1933 in Winnsboro, Fairfield County, South Carolina. Anderson died on August 30, 2003 in Winnsboro, South Carolina, at the age of 70. He is buried at Blackjack Baptist Church Cemetery in Winnsboro, South Carolina.
Anderson is one of 274 Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War and one of 33 credited to South Carolina.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Sfc. Anderson (then S/Sgt.) distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as chief of section in Battery A, against a hostile force. During the early morning hours Battery A's defensive position was attacked by a determined North Vietnamese Army infantry unit supported by heavy mortar, recoilless-rifle, rocket-propelled-grenade and automatic-weapons fire. The initial enemy onslaught breached the battery defensive perimeter. Sfc. Anderson, with complete disregard for his personal safety, mounted the exposed parapet of his howitzer position and became the mainstay of the defense of the battery position. Sfc. Anderson directed devastating direct howitzer fire on the assaulting enemy while providing rifle and grenade defensive fire against enemy soldiers attempting to overrun his gun section position. While protecting his crew and directing their fire against the enemy from his exposed position, two enemy grenades exploded at his feet knocking him down and severely wounding him in the legs. Despite the excruciating pain and though not able to stand, Sfc. Anderson valorously propped himself on the parapet and continued to direct howitzer fire upon the closing enemy and to encourage his men to fight on. Seeing an enemy grenade land within the gun pit near a wounded member of his gun crew, Sfc. Anderson heedless of his own safety, seized the grenade and attempted to throw it over the parapet to save his men. As the grenade was thrown from the position it exploded and Sfc. Anderson was again grievously wounded. Although only partially conscious and severely wounded, Sfc. Anderson refused medical evacuation and continued to encourage his men in the defense of the position. Sfc. Anderson, by his inspirational leadership, professionalism, devotion to duty, and complete disregard for his welfare, was able to maintain the defense of his section position and to defeat a determined attack. Sfc. Anderson's gallantry and extraordinary heroism at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
Anderson was again grievously wounded.
- Manner of death: natural causes
- Cause of death: colorectal cancer
- Age at death: 70
- Resting place: Blackjack Baptist Church Cemetery
Cause and manner of death: Wikidata.
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Webster Anderson 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 South Carolina →
Timeline
- July 15, 1933Born in Winnsboro, Fairfield County, South Carolina
- October 15, 1967Act of valor — Tam Ky, Republic of VietnamAge 34. Battery A, 2d Battalion, 320th Artillery, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile)
- November 24, 1969Medal of Honor presented
- August 30, 2003Died in Winnsboro, South CarolinaAge 70.
- Resting placeBlackjack Baptist Church CemeteryWinnsboro, South Carolina
Biography
Webster Anderson (July 15, 1933 – August 30, 2003) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War. Anderson joined the Army from his birth city of Winnsboro, South Carolina in 1953 and served during the Korean War, and by October 15, 1967, was serving as a staff sergeant in Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 320th Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Infantry Division (Airmobile). On that day, Anderson's artillery unit was attacked by North Vietnamese forces near Tam Kỳ in the Republic of Vietnam. Anderson directed the defense of the unit's position and continued to lead after twice being severely wounded.
From the Wikipedia article “Webster Anderson”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
