California, Los Angeles County, Compton
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PFC James Anderson Jr. was born in Los Angeles California on Jan. 22, 1947. While living in the Carson area, he attended Los Angeles Harbor College for a year and a half before joining the United States Marine Corps in February of 1966.
PFC James Anderson Jr. was assigned as a rifleman in Company F, 2nd Battalion Third Marine Division in the Quang Tri Province in the Republic of Vietnam. In an intense fire fight with enemy troops on Feb. 28, 1967, PFC. Anderson was mortally wounded when he covered an enemy grenade with his body. In this singular heroic act, PFC Anderson saved his comrades from serious injury and possible death.
On Aug. 21. 1967, PFC James Anderson Jr. was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously by the Secretary of the Navy, Paul R. Ignatius.
PFC James Anderson Jr. was the first black American in the history of the United States Marine Corps to be awarded his nations highest decoration.
PFC Anderson’s personal heroism, extraordinary valor, and inspirational supreme self-sacrifice reflected great credit upon himself and the United States of America he gallantly gave his life for his country. Interment Lincoln Memorial Park
(African Americans • War, Vietnam) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
PFC James Anderson Jr. was born in Los Angeles California on Jan. 22, 1947. While living in the Carson area, he attended Los Angeles Harbor College for a year and a half before joining the United States Marine Corps in February of 1966.
PFC James Anderson Jr. was assigned as a rifleman in Company F, 2nd Battalion Third Marine Division in the Quang Tri Province in the Republic of Vietnam. In an intense fire fight with enemy troops on Feb. 28, 1967, PFC. Anderson was mortally wounded when he covered an enemy grenade with his body. In this singular heroic act, PFC Anderson saved his comrades from serious injury and possible death.
On Aug. 21. 1967, PFC James Anderson Jr. was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously by the Secretary of the Navy, Paul R. Ignatius.
PFC James Anderson Jr. was the first black American in the history of the United States Marine Corps to be awarded his nations highest decoration.
PFC Anderson’s personal heroism, extraordinary valor, and inspirational supreme self-sacrifice reflected great credit upon himself and the United States of America he gallantly gave his life for his country. Interment Lincoln Memorial Park
(African Americans • War, Vietnam) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.