James Anderson Jr.

He pulled a grenade to his chest shielding his other Marines

James Anderson Jr. was a Marine private first class with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division. After graduating from Centennial Senior High School, he briefly attended Los Angeles Harbor Junior College. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in February 1966 and trained at San Diego and Camp Pendleton. Promoted to private first class that August, he deployed to Vietnam in December. On February 28, 1967, his platoon advanced through dense jungle northwest of Cam Lo, South Vietnam, to help a besieged reconnaissance patrol. An ambush forced the Marines together under intense fire.

When an enemy grenade landed among them, Anderson pulled it against his chest and absorbed the explosion, saving nearby comrades at the cost of his life. Born in Los Angeles on January 22, 1947, he was buried at Lincoln Memorial Park in Compton, California. His family received his posthumous Medal of Honor on August 21, 1968.

Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Company F was advancing in dense jungle northwest of Cam Lo in an effort to extract a heavily besieged reconnaissance patrol. Pfc. 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. Pfc. Anderson found himself tightly bunched together with the other members of the platoon only 20 meters from the enemy positions. As the firefight 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 Pfc. Anderson's head. Unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his 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, Pfc. 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 U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.