• Home
  • About us
  • MoH Books
  • MoH Videos
    • MoH Videos
    • Medal of Honor Videos
    • Medal of Honor Video Games
  • MoH Events
  • MoH Resources
    • MoH Resources
    • Medal of Honor Links
    • Educational Resources
    • Photo Tribute: The 85 living Medal of Honor recipients
  • Contact
Log In

  • Home
  • About us
  • MoH Books
  • MoH Videos
    • Medal of Honor Videos
    • Medal of Honor Video Games
  • MoH Events
  • MoH Resources
    • Medal of Honor Links
    • Educational Resources
    • Photo Tribute: The 85 living Medal of Honor recipients
  • Contact
HomeMedal of Honor RecipientsHow The First African-American Marine Received The Medal Of Honor 47 Years Ago

How The First African-American Marine Received The Medal Of Honor 47 Years Ago

  • August 22, 2015
  • 0 comments
  • Medal of Honor News
  • Posted in Medal of Honor Recipients
  • 0
40
SHARES
FacebookTwitterGooglePinterest
RedditTumblr
This article originally appeared on Task & Purpose, a news and culture forum dedicated to military and veterans affairs.

Pfc. James Anderson Jr. was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for using his body to shield his platoon from an enemy grenade blast.
On Feb. 28, 1967, while on patrol outside of a village in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, Marine Pfc. James Anderson’s platoon was ambushed and came under heavy enemy fire. In the ensuing battle, an enemy grenade landed near Anderson and his fellow Marines. Without hesitation, Anderson pulled the grenade to his chest, curled his body around it, and absorbed the majority of the blast, giving his life to save his brothers-in-arms.
He turned 20 years old one month before he died.
For his heroism and selfless sacrifice, Anderson was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on Aug. 21, 1968, making him the first African-American Marine to receive the nation’s highest honor. The fact that Anderson was the first black Marine to receive the award, though certainly not the first to show bravery or heroism in combat, may have been due to the military’s history of racial segregation, which officially ended when all of the armed services were forced to desegregate in 1948. However, full integration and racial equality within the ranks would take much longer. Racial tensions within the military would remain high for years to come, especially during the Vietnam War, which coincided with the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.
At a time when race is once again at the center of national debate and controversy, it’s important to remember men like James Anderson, whose actions show that courage and sacrifice are not a matter of race, but are in fact black and white.
Anderson’s parents were presented the award by then-Secretary of the Navy Paul R. Ignatius, who was acting on behalf of President Lyndon B. Johnson, and the citation was read by the then-commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Leonard F. Chapman.
Born Jan. 22, 1947, in Los Angeles, California, Anderson attended junior college briefly before enlisting in the Marines in 1966. According to a profile of Anderson on MarineParents.com, after completing recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, and follow-on training as a Marine rifleman at Camp Pendleton, San Diego, Anderson was attached to 2nd Platoon, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines.
He arrived in Vietnam December 1966, and was killed in action just two months later.
Nearly a half-century later, his legacy continues.
In 1983, the U.S. Navy renamed an acquired Danish merchant ship, the Emma Maersk, in honor of Anderson, which carried equipment in support of Marine Corps operations until 2009, when it was sold for scrapping. The James Anderson Jr. memorial park in Carson, California, was also named in his honor.
It seems an ill-fitting way to treat the memory of a Marine who kept with the highest traditions of his service: placing the safety of his brothers above his own survival. However, his selfless example lives on to this day.
In total, 89 African-American service members have been awarded the Medal of Honor, with the most recent being Henry Johnson, who posthumously received the award on June 2, for his bravery in close-quarters battle against German soldiers during World War I. According to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, four other black Marines received the award during the Vietnam War: Pfc. Oscar Austin, Sgt. Rodney Davis, Pfc. Robert Jenkins, and Pfc. Ralph Johnson.
CORRECTION: This article incorrectly listed Henry Lincoln Anderson as the most recent African-American to be awarded the Medal of Honor, it was Henry Johnson. (8/21/2015; 7:48 am) 
The above article by James Clark originally appeared on Task and Purpose, a military and veterans news and culture site and is reprinted with their permission
Medal of Honor Citation   James Anderson, Jr.   Cam Lo Vietnam   February 28, 1967
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 fire fight 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.

This article originally appeared at Task & Purpose. Follow Task & Purpose on Twitter.

COMMENTARY: Plan to renovate Veterans Park in Stam...

  • August 17, 2015
  • 0 comments

Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient Einar H. Ingma...

  • September 12, 2015
  • 2 comments

About author

Medal of Honor News

Related Posts

0 comments
Medal of Honor Recipients

Alabama Medal of Honor recipient and patriots remembered fondly

Read more

0 comments
Medal of Honor Recipients

​Medal of Honor Recipient and POW Veteran Recognized For Heroism During Korean War​

Read more

0 comments
Medal of Honor Recipients

President Obama to Award the Medal of Honor, Monday, July 18, 2016

Read more

0 comments
Medal of Honor Recipients

D-Day’s Forgotten African-American Heroes

Read more

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Do not miss

0 comments
Medal of Honor Recipients

Alabama Medal of Honor recipient and patriots remembered fondly

Read more

Medal of Honor Statistics

Total Recipients: 3,515
Living Recipients: 64
Double Recipients: 19
Most Recent: Spc. 5 Dennis Fujii, Spc. 5 Dwight Birdwell, Maj. John Duffy and Staff Sgt. Edward Kaneshiro

Total Medals of Honor Awarded: 3,534
US Army: 2,458
US Navy: 749
US Marine Corps: 300
US Air Force: 19
US Coast Guard: 1

New Books

Categories

  • 150th Anniversary (3)
  • 2011 Congressional MOH Society Convention (2)
  • Afghanistan (6)
  • Air Force (2)
  • Air Force Memorial (1)
  • Albert E. Schwab (1)
  • Alexander Bonnyman (2)
  • Allen J. Lynch (1)
  • American Spirit Award (2)
  • American Spirit Ceremony (1)
  • Andrew Goldsbery (1)
  • Anthony T. Kaho’ohanohano (1)
  • Arlington NAtional Cemetery (2)
  • Army (6)
  • Army reserves (1)
  • Arthur J Jackson (1)
  • Bernie Fisher (1)
  • Bob Kerrey (1)
  • Books (2)
  • Boston (1)
  • Boy Scouts (1)
  • Boy's Life (1)
  • Brian L. Buker (2)
  • Bruce P. Crandall (1)
  • Charles Barker (1)
  • Charles Higby (1)
  • Charles P. Murray (1)
  • Citizen Service Before Self Honors (3)
  • Civil War (1)
  • Civil War Trust (1)
  • Clifford L. Stanley (1)
  • Clinton L. Romesha (3)
  • Colby Award (1)
  • Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation (7)
  • Congressional Medal of Honor Society (7)
  • Cornelius Charlton (1)
  • Corporal Joe R. Baldonado (1)
  • Cpl. Victor H. Espinoza (1)
  • Dakota Meyer (14)
  • Dakota Meyer Nicholas Oresko (1)
  • Daniel Inouye (1)
  • David Kaho’ohanohano (1)
  • Department of Defense (4)
  • Deval Patrick (1)
  • Dickerson (1)
  • Dinniman (1)
  • Don C. Faith Jr. (1)
  • Don Jenkins (7)
  • Donald Ballard (1)
  • Donald Kirby Ross (1)
  • Donnie Howe (1)
  • Doug Sterner (1)
  • Douglas Fournet (1)
  • Douglas MacArthur (1)
  • Drew Dennis Dix (1)
  • Ed Freeman (1)
  • Education (2)
  • Edward Silk (1)
  • Edward Spalding (1)
  • Emil J. Kapaun (8)
  • Ernest C. Williams (1)
  • Ernest West (2)
  • Ernie West (2)
  • Events (3)
  • Exhibit (2)
  • First Lt. Donald K. Schwab (1)
  • Fort Myer (1)
  • Fort Sam (1)
  • Frank Dwight Baldwin (1)
  • Frank Peter Witek (1)
  • Furman Smith (1)
  • Gary Littrell (4)
  • George "Bud" Day (1)
  • Gettysburg (2)
  • Gov. Butch Otter (1)
  • Gregory "Pappy" Boyington (1)
  • Guy V. Henry Sr. (1)
  • Hall of Heroes (1)
  • Harold A. Fritz (3)
  • Harvey C. Barnum (1)
  • Henry Svehla (2)
  • Hershel Woody Williams (9)
  • Home of Heroes (2)
  • Homer L. Wise (7)
  • Images of America (1)
  • Iraq (1)
  • Iwo Jima (1)
  • Jack Jacobs (4)
  • James A. Taylor (1)
  • James E. Livingston (1)
  • James H. Monroe (1)
  • James Henry (1)
  • James J. Spurrier (1)
  • James L. Stone (1)
  • James Livingston (1)
  • Jared Monti (3)
  • Jason Dunham (1)
  • Jay R. Vargas (1)
  • Jim Livingston (1)
  • Joe Marm (1)
  • John "Bud" Hawk (1)
  • John F. Baker (1)
  • John F. Mackie (1)
  • John Kirkwood (1)
  • John W. Minick (1)
  • Jon R. Cavaiani (1)
  • Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright IV (1)
  • Kansas (1)
  • Kapaun (2)
  • Kenneth E. Stumpf (2)
  • Kentucky Derby (4)
  • Korean War (1)
  • Leo K. Thorsness (4)
  • Leo Thorsness (1)
  • Leonard Wood (1)
  • Leroy Arthur Petry (2)
  • Leroy Petry (7)
  • Leslie H. Sabo (2)
  • Lester R. Stone Jr. (2)
  • Lester Weber (1)
  • Lewis Lee Millett Sr (2)
  • Maine (1)
  • Marines (2)
  • Master Sergeant Juan E. Negron (1)
  • Master Sgt. Mike C. Pena (1)
  • Medal of Honor (3)
  • Medal of Honor Bridge (1)
  • Medal of Honor Grove (2)
  • Medal of Honor Lessons (1)
  • Medal of Honor Recipient (24)
  • Medal of Honor Recipients (283)
  • Medal of Honor Walk (1)
  • Medics (1)
  • Memorial (1)
  • Memorial Day (4)
  • Memorials (2)
  • Michael Anthony Monsoor (1)
  • Michael J. Crescenz (1)
  • Michael P. Murphy (4)
  • Mike Colalillo (1)
  • Mike Mullen (1)
  • Mike Thornton (1)
  • movie (1)
  • Movies (1)
  • Museums (1)
  • NASA (1)
  • National Armed Forces Day (1)
  • National Medal of Honor Day (15)
  • National Medal of Honor Museum of Military History (2)
  • Navy (1)
  • News (51)
  • Nicholas Oresko (1)
  • No Casino Gettysburg (2)
  • NYSE (2)
  • Obama (2)
  • Oklahoma (1)
  • Operation Eduring Freedom (1)
  • Operation Red Wings (1)
  • Operation Showers of Appreciation (1)
  • Patriots Point (1)
  • Paul Bucha (5)
  • Paul J. Wiedorfer (1)
  • Pennsylvania (1)
  • Pentagon (1)
  • Peter Charles Lemon (1)
  • Pfc. Albert E. Schwab (1)
  • Pfc. Leonard M. Kravitz (2)
  • Pfc. Salvador J. Lara (1)
  • Photo Tribute (1)
  • POW (1)
  • PTSD (1)
  • Pvt. Demensio Rivera (1)
  • Pvt. Joe Gandara (1)
  • Pvt. Miguel A. Vera (1)
  • Pvt. Pedro Cano (1)
  • Randy Shughart (1)
  • Restrepo (1)
  • Richard Etchberger (3)
  • Richard Pittman (2)
  • Ride 2 Recovery (1)
  • Robert Dale Maxwell (1)
  • Robert E. Livingston (1)
  • Robert Foley (1)
  • Robert J. Miller (3)
  • Robert J. Modrzejewski (1)
  • Robert M. Patterson (1)
  • Robert Miller (1)
  • Robert Modrzejewski (1)
  • Robert Patterson (1)
  • Roger Donlon (1)
  • Ronald E. Ray (1)
  • Ronald E. Rosser (2)
  • Ross A. McGinnis (1)
  • Ross McGinnis (1)
  • Sal Giunta (6)
  • Salvatore A. Giunta (1)
  • Salvatore Giunta (1)
  • Sammy Davis (5)
  • School (1)
  • Seal of Honor (1)
  • Sergeant Candelario Garcia (1)
  • Sergeant First Class Jose Rodela (1)
  • Sgt Jose Rodela (1)
  • Sgt. Alfred B. Nietzel (1)
  • Sgt. Eduardo C. Gomez (1)
  • Sgt. Jack Weinstein (1)
  • Sgt. Kyle J. White (1)
  • Sgt. William F. Leonard (1)
  • Souls of Valor (1)
  • Speak out Save Lives (2)
  • Spec. 4 Ardie R. Copas (1)
  • Spec. 4 Leonard L. Alvarado (1)
  • Special Operations (1)
  • Specialist Four Jesus S. Duran (1)
  • Specialist Four Santiago J. Erevia (1)
  • Staff Sergeant Melvin Morris (1)
  • Staff Sgt. Felix M. Conde-Falcon (1)
  • Staff Sgt. Manuel V. Mendoza (1)
  • Stamford (2)
  • Steven C. Barber (1)
  • Terrence Graves (1)
  • Thomas G. Kelley (2)
  • Thomas Norris (1)
  • time (1)
  • Tomb of the Unknowns (3)
  • Ty Michael Carter (2)
  • U.S. Olympic Committee (1)
  • United States Army (1)
  • United States Mint (1)
  • USS Michael Murphy (2)
  • USS Yorktown (1)
  • Valley Forge (1)
  • Van T. Barfoot (1)
  • Vernon Baker (1)
  • Vernon McGarity (1)
  • Veterans Day (3)
  • Veterans for Gettysburg (1)
  • Vietnam (6)
  • Vietnam War (4)
  • Visions of Valor (1)
  • Walter Ehlers (1)
  • Walter Joseph Marm (1)
  • Walter Truemper (1)
  • Warrior Games (1)
  • whitehouse (1)
  • William "Bill" Crawford (1)
  • William D Swenson (1)
  • William E. Shuck Jr. (1)
  • William Johnston (1)
  • William McWhorter (1)
  • William Prom (1)
  • William Thompson (1)
  • World War II (2)




Archives

  • November 2022 (1)
  • August 2022 (1)
  • July 2022 (2)
  • May 2022 (2)
  • April 2022 (1)
  • December 2021 (1)
  • October 2021 (1)
  • May 2021 (2)
  • April 2021 (1)
  • March 2021 (2)
  • September 2020 (1)
  • August 2020 (1)
  • July 2020 (1)
  • May 2020 (2)
  • April 2020 (1)
  • October 2019 (2)
  • June 2019 (1)
  • March 2019 (1)
  • October 2018 (3)
  • August 2018 (2)
  • July 2018 (1)
  • May 2018 (7)
  • March 2018 (1)
  • December 2017 (1)
  • October 2017 (3)
  • August 2017 (3)
  • March 2017 (5)
  • February 2017 (1)
  • December 2016 (1)
  • November 2016 (2)
  • October 2016 (1)
  • August 2016 (2)
  • July 2016 (5)
  • June 2016 (2)
  • May 2016 (2)
  • April 2016 (2)
  • March 2016 (4)
  • February 2016 (4)
  • January 2016 (1)
  • December 2015 (3)
  • November 2015 (2)
  • October 2015 (3)
  • September 2015 (4)
  • August 2015 (2)
  • July 2015 (3)
  • June 2015 (4)
  • May 2015 (3)
  • April 2015 (1)
  • March 2015 (1)
  • January 2015 (1)
  • December 2014 (2)
  • November 2014 (3)
  • October 2014 (1)
  • September 2014 (2)
  • August 2014 (3)
  • July 2014 (1)
  • June 2014 (3)
  • May 2014 (2)
  • April 2014 (3)
  • March 2014 (40)
  • February 2014 (3)
  • January 2014 (2)
  • December 2013 (3)
  • November 2013 (2)
  • October 2013 (2)
  • August 2013 (1)
  • July 2013 (2)
  • June 2013 (1)
  • May 2013 (6)
  • April 2013 (11)
  • March 2013 (10)
  • February 2013 (3)
  • January 2013 (1)
  • December 2012 (2)
  • November 2012 (1)
  • October 2012 (1)
  • September 2012 (1)
  • August 2012 (4)
  • May 2012 (2)
  • March 2012 (4)
  • January 2012 (3)
  • December 2011 (4)
  • November 2011 (6)
  • October 2011 (2)
  • September 2011 (12)
  • August 2011 (3)
  • July 2011 (12)
  • June 2011 (5)
  • May 2011 (21)
  • April 2011 (13)
  • March 2011 (21)
  • February 2011 (13)
  • January 2011 (9)

Educational Resources

Exhibits

Exhibits

Entertainment

Resources
Copyright © 2017 Medal of Honor News | Terms of Use - Privacy Policy - Affiliate Disclosure