James Anderson Jr.
James Anderson Jr. | |
|---|---|
James Anderson Jr., Medal of Honor recipient | |
| Born | January 22, 1947 Los Angeles, California, US |
| Died | February 28, 1967 (aged 20) † near Cam Lo Combat Base, Quang Tri Province, Vietnam |
| Place of burial | Lincoln Memorial Park in Carson, California |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1966–1967 |
| Rank | Private First Class |
| Unit | Company F, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division |
| Battles / wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
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. This action saved other Marines' lives, and Anderson was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his deed.