# James Anderson Jr.

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For other people, see [James Anderson (disambiguation)](/source/James_Anderson_(disambiguation)).

Private First Class **James Anderson Jr.** (January 22, 1947 – February 28, 1967) was a [United States Marine](/source/United_States_Marine) who [posthumously](/source/Posthumous_recognition) received the [Medal of Honor](/source/Medal_of_Honor) for heroism while serving in [Vietnam](/source/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]

Joining the U. S. Marine Corps in 1966, Anderson took part in [Operation Prairie II](/source/Operation_Prairie_II). During this operation, his platoon was advancing through the jungle near [Cam Lo Combat Base](/source/Cam_Lo_Combat_Base) when they were ambushed by [North Vietnamese](/source/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

Anderson was born on January 22, 1947, in [Los Angeles, California](/source/Los_Angeles,_California). He was one of seven siblings. After graduating from senior high school, Anderson attended [Los Angeles Harbor Junior College](/source/Los_Angeles_Harbor_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](/source/United_States_Marine_Corps) on February 17, 1966,[3] and received [recruit training](/source/Recruit_training) with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, [Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California](/source/Marine_Corps_Recruit_Depot_San_Diego). 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](/source/Marine_Corps_Base_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](/source/2nd_Battalion_3rd_Marines), [3rd Marines](/source/3rd_Marine_Regiment_(United_States)), [3rd Marine Division](/source/3rd_Marine_Division_(United_States)) in Quang Tri Province. On February 28, 1967, during [Operation Prairie II](/source/Operation_Prairie_II), Private First Class Anderson was killed when he [covered a grenade with his body](/source/Falling_on_a_grenade) to save his platoon.[3]

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

## Decorations

A complete list of Private First Class Anderson's medals and decorations includes: the Medal of Honor, the [Purple Heart](/source/Purple_Heart), the [National Defense Service Medal](/source/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]

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

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](/source/Jungle) northwest of [Cam Lộ](/source/Cam_L%E1%BB%99_Combat_Base) 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](/source/Small_arms) and [automatic weapons](/source/Automatic_weapon) 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](/source/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](/source/Shrapnel_shell) 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](/source/United_States_Department_of_the_Navy). He gallantly gave his life for his country.

/S/ [LYNDON B. JOHNSON](/source/Lyndon_B._Johnson)

## In memory

The United States Navy [prepositioning ship](/source/Prepositioning_Program), [MV *PFC James Anderson Jr.* (AK-3002)](/source/MV_PFC_James_Anderson_Jr.) 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](/source/Vietnam_Veterans_Memorial) ("The Wall") on Panel 15E - Row 112.[8]

*James Anderson Jr. Memorial Park* in [Carson, California](/source/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

- [List of Medal of Honor recipients](/source/List_of_Medal_of_Honor_recipients)
- [List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War](/source/List_of_Medal_of_Honor_recipients_for_the_Vietnam_War)

## Notes

1. ["Selected August Dates of Marine Corps Historical Significance"](https://web.archive.org/web/20101128111549/http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/This_Month_History/08_August.htm). *This Month in History*. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from [the original](http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/This_Month_History/08_August.htm) on 2010-11-28. Retrieved 2008-10-07.

1. [Marine James Anderson Jr. is 1st Black Medal of Honor recipient](http://www.brainyhistory.com/events/1968/august_21_1968_135381.html), August 21 in History, Brainy History.

1. ["PFC James Anderson"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190124152247/https://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=62660). *Historical Marker Database*. Archived from [the original](http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=62660) on 24 January 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2015.

1. ["Marine Corps University > Research > Marine Corps History Division > Information for Units > Medal of Honor Recipients By Unit > PFC James Anderson, Jr."](https://www.usmcu.edu/Research/Marine-Corps-History-Division/Information-for-Units/Medal-of-Honor-Recipients-By-Unit/PFC-James-Anderson-Jr/). *www.usmcu.edu*. Retrieved 2023-03-04.

1. ["PFC James Anderson Jr."](https://marineparents.com/marinecorps/pfc-james-anderson-jr.asp). *MarineParents.com®*. Retrieved 2023-03-04.

1. ["James Anderson Jr | Vietnam War | U.S. Marine Corps | Medal of Honor Recipient"](https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/james-anderson). *Congressional Medal of Honor Society*. Retrieved 2025-10-22.

1. ["USNS *PFC James Anderson Jr.* (T-AK-3002)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20000925224114/http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-p/ak3002.htm). Navy Historical Center, Department of the Navy. Archived from [the original](http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-p/ak3002.htm) on September 25, 2000.

1. ["James Anderson Jr."](https://web.archive.org/web/20060614080959/http://mishalov.com/Anderson_J.html). mishalov.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.mishalov.com/Anderson_J.html) on 2006-06-14. Retrieved 2006-07-17.

1. ["Parks and Other Facilities in Carson"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081015161726/http://ci.carson.ca.us/content/department/parklibpo.asp). City of Carson. Archived from [the original](http://ci.carson.ca.us/content/department/parklibpo.asp) on 2008-10-15. Retrieved 2008-10-07.

1. ["Anderson Hall Dedication Today"](https://static.dvidshub.net/media/pubs/pdf_18364.pdf). Hawaii Marine. Retrieved 2022-05-25.

## References

- ["James Anderson, Jr."](http://aavw.org/served/homepage_janderson.html). African-American involvement in the Vietnam War. Congressional Medal of Honour. Retrieved 2018-08-23.
- ["African Americans in the United States Marine Corps Timeline"](https://www.usmcmuseum.com/uploads/6/0/3/6/60364049/africanamericanmarinesresources.pdf). National Museum of the Marine Corps. Retrieved 2018-08-23.
- ["Private First Class James Anderson Jr., USMC"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110516220655/http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Anderson_J.htm). *Who's Who in Marine Corps History*. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from [the original](http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Anderson_J.htm) on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2007-10-07.
- ["PFC James Anderson Jr., Medal of Honor, 1967, 2/3/3, Vietnam (Medal of Honor citation)"](http://www.usmc.mil/moh.nsf/000003c919889c0385255f980058f5b6/000003c919889c0385255f98005c6382?OpenDocument). *Marines Awarded the Medal of Honor*. [United States Marine Corps](/source/United_States_Marine_Corps). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070220212546/http://www.usmc.mil/moh.nsf/000003c919889c0385255f980058f5b6/000003c919889c0385255f98005c6382?OpenDocument) 2007-02-20 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2006-03-22.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [James Anderson Jr.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Anderson_Jr.) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Anderson_Jr.?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.