thedrifter
08-27-09, 06:40 AM
He gallantly gave his own life for his country and fellow Marines when, under sudden attack by enemy forces, he disregarded his personal safety and curled his body tightly over a grenade as it exploded. Many were injured by stray shrapnel, but Pfc. James Anderson Jr. used his body to absorb the major force of the blast.
Forty years ago last Friday, Aug. 21, 1968, Anderson became the first African-American Marine to receive the highest military decoration — The Medal of Honor.
On Feb. 17, 1966, Anderson enlisted in the Marine Corps while attending college. He completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Calif.
Anderson transferred to Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he trained with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Training Regiment.
In December, Anderson moved on to the Republic of Vietnam during the heart of the Vietnam War when U.S. involvement peaked, where he served as a rifleman with Company F,
2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division in Quang Tri Province. Company F was moving through the jungle northwest of Cam Lo to extract a heavily besieged reconnaissance patrol.
Anderson’s platoon was in the lead and had only advanced about 200-meters before being brought under intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire.
The troop immediately returned fire, but several men were wounded by the unexpected enemy assault.
The Marines attempted to disburse to get on line and behind cover as quickly as possible, but the thick terrain hindered that so they remained in tight groups, low to the ground.
All of a sudden, a grenade rolled alongside Anderson’s head giving him less than a few critical seconds to make a decision. There were Marines to his left and right, all fighting tooth and nail to recover from enemy prevalence.
Without hesitating, Anderson made the decision to scoop up the grenade and pull it tight into his chest, encasing it with his body.
Then, it went off. On Feb. 28, 1967 Anderson was mortally wounded.
Since that day, Anderson has been remembered for his courageous, selfless actions in battle. This award was among many other achievements the young warrior attained during his tenure.
Anderson was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star, Vietnamese Military Merit Medal, Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
In his honor and memory, the United States Navy preposition ship was named USNS PFC James Anderson Jr. (T-AK 3002). Also, a park in Carson, Calif., was named James Anderson Jr. Memorial Park in his honor.
Anderson’s name can be found inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall, a national war memorial located in Washington, D.C., which honors all members of the armed forces who fought in the Vietnam War and who died in service or are still unaccounted for.
— Correspondent: meloney.moses@usmc.mil
Forty years ago last Friday, Aug. 21, 1968, Anderson became the first African-American Marine to receive the highest military decoration — The Medal of Honor.
On Feb. 17, 1966, Anderson enlisted in the Marine Corps while attending college. He completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Calif.
Anderson transferred to Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he trained with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Training Regiment.
In December, Anderson moved on to the Republic of Vietnam during the heart of the Vietnam War when U.S. involvement peaked, where he served as a rifleman with Company F,
2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division in Quang Tri Province. Company F was moving through the jungle northwest of Cam Lo to extract a heavily besieged reconnaissance patrol.
Anderson’s platoon was in the lead and had only advanced about 200-meters before being brought under intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire.
The troop immediately returned fire, but several men were wounded by the unexpected enemy assault.
The Marines attempted to disburse to get on line and behind cover as quickly as possible, but the thick terrain hindered that so they remained in tight groups, low to the ground.
All of a sudden, a grenade rolled alongside Anderson’s head giving him less than a few critical seconds to make a decision. There were Marines to his left and right, all fighting tooth and nail to recover from enemy prevalence.
Without hesitating, Anderson made the decision to scoop up the grenade and pull it tight into his chest, encasing it with his body.
Then, it went off. On Feb. 28, 1967 Anderson was mortally wounded.
Since that day, Anderson has been remembered for his courageous, selfless actions in battle. This award was among many other achievements the young warrior attained during his tenure.
Anderson was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star, Vietnamese Military Merit Medal, Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
In his honor and memory, the United States Navy preposition ship was named USNS PFC James Anderson Jr. (T-AK 3002). Also, a park in Carson, Calif., was named James Anderson Jr. Memorial Park in his honor.
Anderson’s name can be found inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall, a national war memorial located in Washington, D.C., which honors all members of the armed forces who fought in the Vietnam War and who died in service or are still unaccounted for.
— Correspondent: meloney.moses@usmc.mil