Page 16 - MarinerMagazine_23Spring

MARINE MARQUEE

Medal of Honor

Monday: Marine

Corps Pfc. James

Anderson Jr.

Feb. 27, 2023 | By Katie Lange , DOD News |

Marine Corps Pfc. James Anderson Jr. had a plan for his
future, but when the Vietnam War began, he felt com-
pelled to serve. The 20-year-old never returned home
to fulfill the plans he had for himself, but the valor he
showed during his short time in service earned him the
Medal of Honor.

Anderson was born in Compton, California, on Jan. 2,
1947, to Aggiethine and James Anderson Sr. He was the Marine Corps Pfc. James Anderson Jr. earned the Medal of Honor
first boy born to the couple, who already had five daugh- when he saved his comrades from a grenade during a battle in
ters. He also had a younger brother, Jack. Vietnam on Feb. 28, 1967

Growing up, Anderson liked to sing in the choir; he was Marine Corps Pfc. James Anderson Jr. earned the Medal
also a fabulous dancer and took part in service organi- of Honor when he saved his comrades from a grenade
zations, such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, during a battle in Vietnam on Feb. 28, 1967.
according to his niece, Denise Johnson-Cross. Anderson
played clarinet in the band at Centennial High School After high school, Anderson went to L.A. Harbor College
and graduated 10th in his class in 1964. Johnson-Cross to study pre-law for a year and a half. When the Vietnam
said her uncle, who was 14 when she was born, wanted War started, he didn't want to be drafted into the Army,
to be minister. so he enlisted in the Marine Corps in February 1966 and
was sent to Vietnam in December. Anderson was trained
as a rifleman – even though his sister, Mary, told the Los
Angeles Times in 1984 that he said he couldn't kill anyone.

On Feb. 28, 1967, Anderson had just celebrated his 20th
birthday and his one-year anniversary in the Marines
when he was put to the ultimate test.

Anderson was serving as a rifleman in Company F, 2nd
Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division,
in the Quang Tri province on Vietnam's central coast.
He and his platoon were on a mission to rescue a heav-
ily besieged reconnaissance patrol when they came upon
heavy enemy fire in dense jungle northwest of Cam Lo.

The platoon reacted quickly and began firing back.
Anderson found himself on the ground in a tightly packed

16 The Mariner • 2023 SPRING Edition • Volume 66 • Issue 1

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