Summary and Key Points: Pfc. James Anderson Jr., a Compton native, became the first Black Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam.
-During a firefight on February 28, 1967, his unit was pinned down in dense jungle near Cam Lo when an enemy grenade landed among tightly packed Marines.
A detail photo of the Medal of Honor at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery, Va., Mar. 25, 2025. The Ceremony was hosted by Maj. Gen. Trevor J. Bredenkamp, commanding general, Joint Task Force-National Capital Region and U.S. Army Military District of Washington. (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Christopher Grey)
-Anderson grabbed it, pulled it to his chest, and curled around it as it detonated—absorbing the blast and saving his comrades from likely death or severe injury.
-The Medal of Honor was presented to his family in 1968. His legacy endures through ships, base facilities, and a Compton post office bearing his name.
Meet Pfc. James Anderson Jr.: The First Black Marine Medal of Honor Hero
Last week, as part of Black History Month, military.com recognized Pfc. James Anderson, Jr., who, for his heroism in the Vietnam War, became the first Black Marine to receive the Medal of Honor.
According to the Congressional Medal of Honor website, Anderson received the honor for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.”
The website also recounted Anderson’s heroism on February 28, 1967, shortly after his 20th birthday and just over a year after he joined the Marines.
U.S. Army 1st. Sgt. Robert Durbin holds 1st Sgt. David McNerney’s Medal of Honor during an Enshrinement Ceremony at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 22, 2013. The Smithsonian Institution accepted McNerney’s Medal of Honor for inclusion in the National Postal Museum collection where it will be displayed in the National Stamp Salon of the William H. Gross Stamp Gallery. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Teddy Wade, U.S. Army/Released)
The Story of a Hero
“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,” the account there said.
“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.”
Marines with Battery N, 5th Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, fire an M777 A2 howitzer during a series of integrated firing exercises at the Combat Center’s Quakenbush Training Area April 26, 2013. (Official USMC photo by Cpl. William J. Jackson/Released)
This action entailed Anderson sacrificing for his fellow Marines.
“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.”
The medal was presented the following year, on August 21, 1968, at the Marine barracks in Washington, with Secretary of the Navy Paul R. Ignatius presenting the medal to his family. He is buried at Lincoln Memorial Park in Compton, Calif.
A Hero’s Story
According to a biography on the Department of Defense website, James Anderson Jr. was born in Compton on Jan. 2, 1947, to Aggiethine and James Anderson Sr., who had five daughters before James was born.
“Growing up, Anderson liked to sing in the choir; he was also a fabulous dancer and took part in service organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, according to his niece, Denise Johnson-Cross,” the DoD account said. “Anderson played clarinet in the band at Centennial High School and graduated 10th in his class in 1964. Johnson-Cross said her uncle, who was 14 when she was born, wanted to be a minister.”
Anderson finished high school and then spent a year at L.A. Harbor College, where he studied pre-law for a year and a half.
“When the Vietnam War started, he didn’t want to be drafted into the Army, 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.”
U.S. Marines with Golf Battery, 2d Battalion, 11th Marines, currently attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Australian Defence Forces with 109th Battery, 4th Regiment, fire an M777 155 mm Howitzer during Exercise Talisman Sabre 21 on Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland, Australia, July 17, 2021. Australian and U.S. Forces combine biennually for Talisman Sabre, a month-long multi-domain exercise that strengthens allied and partner capabilities to respond to the full range of Indo-Pacific security concerts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ujian Gosun)
Andreson did what he did, his sister told the Los Angeles Times, “because of his faith and his belief in mankind. He always cared about other people.”
Other Honors
The medal wasn’t his only posthumous honor.
“In 1983, the U.S. Navy showed its appreciation for his gallantry by renaming a maritime prepositioning ship after him. The USNS Pfc. James Anderson Jr. was based in the Indian Ocean and carried equipment to support a Marine expeditionary brigade until 2009. His name also adorns Anderson Hall at Marine Corps Base Hawaii,” the DoD bio said.
Also, Congress passed a law in 2022 to name a post office in Anderson’s California hometown after him.
“The bill was introduced in 2020 by U.S. Rep. Nanette Barragan of California, who first heard about Anderson from Compton Mayor Emma Sharif. Johnson-Cross said that Sharif was visiting Anderson’s burial site at Lincoln Memorial Park when she noticed he didn’t have the appropriate headstone for a Medal of Honor recipient. Sharif brought it to Barragan’s attention, who got the ball rolling on the post office legislation,” the DoD said. President Joseph Biden signed that bill into law in 2022, and the post office opened in 2024.
“Nearly 60 years later, Anderson’s name will be forever associated with his hometown after President Joe Biden signed an order changing the Hub City Post Office’s name to PFC James Anderson, Jr., Post Office Building,” CBS News Los Angeles reported in 2024, ahead of the dedication of the office.
“Congresswoman Nanette Barragán, the lawmaker who introduced the bill, and her colleague Congresswoman Maxine Waters will host a dedication and plaque presentation ceremony on Wednesday. They will stand alongside Anderson’s family.”
ABC 7 reported on the ceremony when it took place, in honor of National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
“Today’s dedication of this Post Office ensures that James’ bravery and sacrifice will always be remembered here in this city, not only just in this city of Compton but throughout the United States,” Mayor Emma Sharif said at the dedication.
There is also a park named for Anderson in Carson, Calif., about eight miles from his hometown.
About the Author: Stephen Silver
Stephen Silver is an award-winning journalist, essayist, and film critic, and contributor to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Broad Street Review, and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. For over a decade, Stephen has authored thousands of articles that focus on politics, national security, technology, and the economy. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @StephenSilver, and subscribe to his Substack newsletter.
