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James Anderson Jr.
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James Anderson Jr.
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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.[1][2][3]

Key Information

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. This action saved other Marines' lives, and Anderson was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his deed.

Biography

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Anderson was born on January 22, 1947, in Los Angeles, California. He was one of seven siblings. After graduating from senior high school, Anderson attended Los Angeles Harbor Junior College for a year and a half. He was preparing to realize his dream of becoming a preacher at Belmont Baptist Church, a local church.[3]

Private Anderson left college to enlist in the United States Marine Corps on February 17, 1966,[3] and received recruit training with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. He was promoted to private first class upon graduation from recruit training in August 1966. Private First Class Anderson was then transferred to Camp Pendleton, California, where he received further training with the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Training Regiment.

In December 1966, Private First Class Anderson arrived in the Republic of Vietnam, where he served as a rifleman with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division in Quang Tri Province. On February 28, 1967, during Operation Prairie II, Private First Class Anderson was killed when he covered a grenade with his body to save his platoon.[3]

Private First Class Anderson was interred at Lincoln Memorial Park in Carson, California (Plot L-6).

Decorations

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A complete list of Private First Class Anderson's medals and decorations includes: the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star, the Vietnamese Military Merit Medal, the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.[4][5]

A light blue ribbon with five white five pointed stars
Bronze star
Medal of Honor
Purple Heart National Defense Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star
Vietnam Military Merit Medal Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm Vietnam Campaign Medal

Medal of Honor citation

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The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JAMES ANDERSON JR.
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:[6]

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a rifleman, Second Platoon, Company F, Second Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division, in Vietnam on 28 February 1967. Company F was advancing in dense jungle northwest of Cam Lộ in an effort to extract a heavily besieged reconnaissance patrol. Private First Class 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. Private First Class Anderson found himself tightly bunched together with the other members of the platoon only 20 meters from the enemy positions. As the fire fight 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 Private First Class Anderson's head. Unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own 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, Private First Class 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 United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

/S/ LYNDON B. JOHNSON

In memory

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The United States Navy prepositioning ship, MV PFC James Anderson Jr. (AK-3002) is named in honor of Medal of Honor recipient James Anderson Jr.[7]

The name James Anderson Jr. is inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial ("The Wall") on Panel 15E - Row 112.[8]

James Anderson Jr. Memorial Park in Carson, California, at the corner of Wilmington and University was named after James Anderson Jr.[9]

Anderson Hall on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, home to PFC Anderson's Marine unit, was dedicated in his honor in 1972.[10]

Anderson Avenue in Compton, California, is named after him.

The Downlow Saga, a 2017 novel by author Sheldon McCormick, is dedicated in memory of Anderson.

See also

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Notes

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

James Anderson Jr.

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from Grokipedia
James Anderson Jr. (January 22, 1947 – February 28, 1967) was a who posthumously received the for conspicuous gallantry during combat operations in the , marking him as the first African American Marine to earn the nation's highest military decoration. Born in , , Anderson enlisted in the Marine Corps in February 1966 after brief attendance at Los Angeles Harbor Junior College, completing recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot and infantry training at Camp Pendleton before deploying to in December 1966 with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, . On February 28, 1967, northwest of Cam Lo during Operation Prairie II, Anderson's platoon encountered intense enemy fire; when an enemy grenade landed amid his comrades, he seized the explosive, ran forward to shield it with his body, and absorbed the blast, sacrificing his life but preventing severe casualties among his unit. The was presented posthumously on August 21, 1968, by Secretary of the Paul R. Ignatius, recognizing Anderson's intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty as cited: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a rifleman... Anderson unhesitatingly threw himself upon the grenade, absorbing the full impact of the explosion with his body." Anderson's heroism exemplified the decisive self-sacrifice that turned the tide in small-unit engagements, earning him additional commendations including , , and with bronze star, while his legacy endures through honors such as the naming of a U.S. ship in his memory.

Early Life and Background

Birth and Family Origins

James Anderson Jr. was born on January 22, 1947, in , a suburb of in Los Angeles County. He was the son of James Anderson Sr., a factory worker, and Aggiethine Anderson (née Friar), both who had migrated to California from the South as part of the Great Migration. As the first son born to the couple, Anderson grew up with two older sisters in a modest working-class household in the predominantly Black community of Compton, where his family emphasized discipline and resilience amid urban challenges. His parents' background reflected broader patterns of mid-20th-century African American families seeking economic opportunities in industrial , though specific ancestral details beyond their Southern roots remain sparsely documented in public records.

Education and Pre-Military Experiences

James Anderson Jr. was born on January 22, 1947, in , , to James Anderson Sr. and Aggiethine Anderson, becoming the first son in the family. He grew up in the Compton area and attended local schools, including Carver Elementary School in nearby Willowbrook during his early years. Anderson graduated from Centennial Senior High School in Compton. Following high school, he enrolled at , a in Wilmington, , where he studied for approximately one and a half years with aspirations of becoming a minister. In early 1966, at age 19, he left college to enlist in the United States Marine Corps, motivated by a desire for service rather than continuing academic pursuits.

Enlistment and Marine Corps Service

Initial Enlistment and Basic Training

James Anderson Jr. enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on February 17, 1966, after briefly attending Los Angeles Harbor Junior College, choosing the Marines to avoid being drafted into the Army amid the escalating Vietnam War. He reported for duty as a private (E-1) and underwent an intensive 13-week recruit training program designed to instill discipline, physical fitness, and basic combat skills. Anderson completed his basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) in , , assigned to the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, where recruits from the underwent rigorous drills, marksmanship instruction, and fundamentals under drill instructors. Upon graduation, he advanced to the rank of (PFC, E-2), reflecting satisfactory performance in the demanding regimen that emphasized and resilience. This foundational phase prepared him for subsequent infantry training before his deployment overseas later that year.

Deployment to Vietnam and Unit Assignment

Anderson enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on February 15, 1966, and after completing recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot , he underwent further training at Camp Pendleton before deploying overseas. In December 1966, Anderson arrived in the , where he was assigned as a rifleman to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, . The was part of the , which operated primarily in the northern I Corps Tactical Zone, including Quang Tri Province near the , to counter North Vietnamese Army incursions. Anderson's unit was engaged in combat operations against forces shortly after his arrival, reflecting the escalating ground war in early 1967. His deployment occurred amid the broader Marine Corps buildup in , with the reinforcing positions to defend key bases like and support operations such as .

Combat Action in Vietnam

Operation Prairie II Context

Operation Prairie II represented a phase in the broader series of search-and-destroy missions by U.S. Marine forces to disrupt North Vietnamese Army (NVA) infiltration and operations south of the (DMZ) in Quang Tri Province. As a continuation of Operation Prairie I, it focused on neutralizing enemy regiments poised for incursions into , particularly amid intelligence indicating NVA buildup in the region during early 1967. The operation emphasized aggressive patrolling, ambushes, and coordinated strikes to deny sanctuary to NVA units while supporting defensive postures alongside Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) allies. Elements of the , commanded by Brig. Gen. Michael P. Ryan, executed the operation from 25 February to 18 March 1967, primarily involving the ; ; and . These units operated in rugged terrain near Cam Lo and the Ben Hai River, encountering fortified NVA positions and artillery from across the DMZ. The principal enemy force was the 812th Regiment of the 324B Division, which mounted determined resistance including ambushes and mortar barrages. Key engagements peaked on 27-28 February, with disrupting NVA movements and inflicting significant losses through close-quarters combat and supporting arms. Overall, the operation resulted in 694 confirmed NVA killed and 20 captured, alongside seizure of weapons and supplies; Marine casualties totaled 93 killed and 483 wounded, predominantly from . This phase underscored the intensifying conventional threat posed by regular NVA divisions, shifting Marine tactics toward larger-scale battalion-level actions in contested border areas.

The Incident of February 28, 1967

On February 28, 1967, during a nighttime northwest of Cam Lo in Quang Tri Province, Republic of , the second platoon of Company F, , 3d Marine Division, encountered an enemy ambush by North Vietnamese Army sappers employing fire, grenades, and satchel charges. The , caught in dense jungle terrain, took cover in a tightly grouped position approximately 20 meters from the attackers and returned fire. James Anderson Jr., serving as a and acting after his original leader was mortally wounded, exposed himself to position between the casualty and the enemy, engaging the assailants with his rifle until he sustained serious wounds himself. Despite his injuries, Anderson declined to remain in command, directing his squad's and hurling hand at the positions to suppress the assault. In the ensuing chaos, an grenade landed amid the clustered and rolled directly alongside Anderson's head. Without hesitation, he seized the device with both hands, thrust it firmly into his chest while bending over it to contain the blast, and absorbed the full explosion with his body, shielding his comrades from fragmentation and concussion. The detonation inflicted fatal wounds on Anderson, who succumbed shortly thereafter, but no other Marines in the immediate vicinity suffered harm from that grenade, enabling the squad to regroup and repel the attack. His actions exemplified individual initiative under extreme duress, preventing potential casualties in a confined defensive posture against a numerically superior and aggressively employing enemy force.

Awards and Decorations

Medal of Honor Award Process

Following Anderson's fatal actions on February 28, 1967, during Operation Prairie II northwest of Cam Lo, South Vietnam, his conduct was documented by surviving eyewitnesses from Company F, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, and recommended for the Medal of Honor through the Marine Corps chain of command. The nomination underwent standard Department of the Navy review, including verification of the self-sacrificial grenade throw that saved his squad from an enemy anti-personnel mine, before approval for posthumous presentation. The Medal of Honor was formally awarded on August 21, 1968, approximately 18 months after the incident, marking Anderson as the first African-American U.S. Marine recipient for Vietnam War service. Secretary of the Navy Paul R. Ignatius presented the medal to Anderson's parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Anderson Sr., during a ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. This followed presidential authorization under 10 U.S.C. § 6241, with the Navy Secretary acting on behalf of the commander-in-chief for Marine Corps awards.

Citation and Specific Valor Recognized

Private First Class James Anderson Jr. was recognized for his actions on February 28, 1967, during Operation Prairie II in Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, where he served as a rifleman with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division. The Medal of Honor citation specifically commends his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty," highlighting an incident in which his platoon encountered an enemy attack and an adversary hurled a grenade into their midst. Observing the immediate threat, Anderson "immediately and unhesitatingly threw himself on the grenade, using his body to shield his companions from the explosion," an act that, despite resulting in his fatal injuries, saved the lives of several fellow Marines. This supreme self-sacrifice exemplified "indomitable courage, inspiring devotion to , and selfless concern for his fellow ," as stated in the official citation, which further notes that his conduct "reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps, and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service." The valor recognized centers on Anderson's instantaneous decision amid combat chaos—prioritizing the protection of his unit over personal survival against a live fragmentation in close quarters—demonstrating exceptional resolve in the face of certain death. No other contemporaneous accounts dispute the grenade incident's details, corroborated by eyewitness members who survived due to his intervention. The full citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of as a with Company F, 2d Battalion, 3d , 3d Marine Division, in action against enemy forces on 28 February 1967 in Quang Tri Province, Republic of . While participating in Operation PRAIRIE II, Anderson's was maneuvering against the enemy during an attack. Suddenly, the enemy hurled a into their midst. Observing the grenade, Anderson immediately and unhesitatingly threw himself on the grenade, using his body to his companions from the explosion. Although he sustained fatal injuries, his heroic and selfless action saved the lives of several of his companions. Anderson's indomitable courage, inspiring devotion to , and selfless concern for his fellow reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps, and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

Additional Military Honors

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Private First Class James Anderson Jr. received the Purple Heart for the fatal wounds sustained during combat on February 28, 1967, recognizing his sacrifice in action against enemy forces. He was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal, which honors enlisted personnel serving honorably during a designated national emergency period, in this case encompassing his enlistment and deployment era from 1965 to 1967. The Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star was conferred, denoting participation in a single approved campaign phase—specifically, Operation Prairie II in Quang Tri Province—between his arrival in Vietnam on December 24, 1966, and his death. Further, Anderson earned the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960- bar device, a South Vietnamese award for six months of service in the conflict zone or equivalent combat exposure, automatically granted to U.S. forces qualifying under joint protocols. The Gallantry Cross with Palm, another Republic of Vietnam decoration, was posthumously presented to his unit, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, for collective valor during engagements including the incident that claimed his life, with individual eligibility extended to participants like Anderson.

Posthumous Legacy and Memorialization

Burial and Immediate Family Recognition

James Anderson Jr. was interred at Lincoln Memorial Park in Carson, , following the repatriation of his remains from . His gravesite is located in Plot L-6. On August 21, 1968, Anderson's parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Anderson Sr., received the Medal of Honor posthumously on his behalf during a ceremony at the United States Marine Corps Barracks in Washington, D.C. The presentation was conducted by Secretary of the Navy Paul R. Ignatius, marking the first such award to an African American Marine. This event provided formal recognition to his immediate family for his valor in combat.

Military and Civic Memorials

The U.S. Navy renamed the MV Emma Maersk as the USNS PFC James Anderson Jr. (T-AK 3002) in 1983, honoring his sacrifice; the vessel, part of the Military Sealift Command's Bob Hope-class roll-on/roll-off fleet, supported Marine expeditionary operations by transporting equipment and supplies, primarily in the region, until its decommissioning around 2009. Anderson Hall at was dedicated in his name in 1972, serving as a key facility for units associated with his former battalion and symbolizing his valor within the Marine Corps infrastructure. Civic commemorations include the renaming of the Hub City Post Office at 101 South Willowbrook Avenue in —Anderson's hometown—as the PFC James Anderson Jr. Post Office, enacted via congressional legislation passed in December 2022 and formally dedicated on August 7, 2024, to recognize his heroism as a local native who attended Centennial High School. Additional local markers, such as plaques in Compton and a memorial park in nearby Carson, California, further perpetuate his legacy among community sites, though these are smaller-scale compared to federal military tributes.

Recent Honors and Developments

In August 2024, the United States Postal Service facility at 1516 E. Compton Boulevard in Compton, California, was officially renamed the Private First Class James Anderson Jr. Post Office Building. The renaming ceremony, attended by local officials and veterans, honored Anderson's actions on February 28, 1967, during which he threw himself on an enemy grenade to protect his platoon, marking him as the first African American U.S. Marine to receive the Medal of Honor. This development built on prior local recognition, including a war memorial in Compton dedicated to him. In February 2023, the Department of Defense published a " Monday" profile detailing Anderson's service with the 3rd Platoon, Company F, , in Quang Tri Province, emphasizing his presented to his family on , 1968. Earlier, on February 2, 2022, the Department of Veterans Affairs featured Anderson on its State Wall at the CalVet headquarters in Sacramento, noting him as California's sole Black recipient from the and underscoring his enlistment from . These commemorations reflect sustained efforts to preserve his legacy amid broader remembrance initiatives, including listings on the Wall (Panel 15E, Line 112).

References

  1. https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/james-anderson
  2. https://news.va.gov/84980/honoringvets-james-anderson-jr/
  3. https://www.usmcu.edu/Research/Marine-Corps-History-Division/People/Medal-of-Honor-Recipients-By-Unit/PFC-James-Anderson-Jr/
  4. https://about.usps.com/newsroom/local-releases/ca/2024/0805ma-hub-city-po-in-honor-of-pfc-james-anderson-jr.htm
  5. https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/3305785/medal-of-honor-monday-marine-corps-pfc-james-anderson-jr/
  6. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Anderson-54435
  7. https://barragan.house.gov/2020/11/06/barragan-introduces-bill-to-rename-compton-post-office-for-nations-first-african-american-medal-of-honor-winner-pfc-james-anderson-jr/
  8. https://marineparents.com/marinecorps/pfc-james-anderson-jr.asp
  9. https://www.pendleton.marines.mil/In-the-News/Press-Releases/Article/536779/medal-of-honor-recipient-sacrificed-life-for-country/
  10. https://www.war.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/3305785/medal-of-honor-monday-marine-corps-pfc-james-anderson-jr/
  11. https://www.marines.mil/Portals/1/Publications/U.S.%20Marines%20in%20Vietnam%20Fighting%20the%20North%20Vietnamese%201967%20%20PCN%2019000309000_1.pdf
  12. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6404432/james-anderson
  13. https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/1027/JAMES-ANDERSON-JR/
  14. https://marineparents.com/announcements/AnnouncementDetails.asp?ID=450
  15. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-08-08/war-hero-compton-post-office
  16. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=62660
  17. https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/compton-post-office-medal-of-honor-recipient-james-anderson-jr/
  18. https://www.presstelegram.com/2024/08/07/an-american-hero-compton-post-office-renamed-for-black-marine-medal-of-honor-awardee/
  19. https://calvetconnect.blog/2022/02/02/mohanderson/
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