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Webster Anderson
Rank and Organization: Sergeant
First Class, U.S. Army, Battery A, 2d Battalion, 320th Field
Artillery, 101st Airborne Infantry Division (Airmobile).
Place and Date: Tam Ky, Republic of Vietnam, 15 October 1967.
Entered Service At: Winnsboro, S.C. Born: 15 July 1933,
Winnsboro, S.C.
Citation: Sfc. Anderson (then S/Sgt.),
distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in
action while serving as chief of section in Battery A, against a
hostile force. During the early morning hours Battery A's
defensive position was attacked by a determined North
Vietnamese Army infantry unit supported by heavy mortar,
recoilless rifle, rocket propelled grenade and automatic weapon
fire. The initial enemy onslaught breached the battery defensive
perimeter. Sfc. Anderson, with complete disregard for his
personal safety, mounted the exposed parapet of his howitzer
position and became the mainstay of the defense of the battery
position. Sfc. Anderson directed devastating direct howitzer
fire on the assaulting enemy while providing rifle and grenade
defensive fire against enemy soldiers attempting to overrun his
gun section position. While protecting his crew and directing
their fire against the enemy from his exposed position, 2 enemy
grenades exploded at his feet knocking him down and severely
wounding him in the legs. Despite the excruciating pain and
though not able to stand, Sfc. Anderson valorously propped
himself on the parapet and continued to direct howitzer fire
upon the closing enemy and to encourage his men to fight on.
Seeing an enemy grenade land within the gun pit near a
wounded member of his gun crew, Sfc. Anderson heedless of
his own safety, seized the grenade and attempted to throw it
over the parapet to save his men. As the grenade was thrown
from the position it exploded and Sfc. Anderson was again
grievously wounded. Although only partially conscious and
severely wounded, Sfc. Anderson refused medical evacuation
and continued to encourage his men in the defense of the
position. Sfc. Anderson by his inspirational leadership,
professionalism, devotion to duty and complete disregard for
his welfare was able to maintain the defense of his section
position and to defeat a determined attack. Sfc. Anderson's
gallantry and extraordinary heroism at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the
military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit,
and the U.S. Army.
Source: Department
of Defense.
Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Civilian Personnel Policy.
Black Americans in Defense of Our Nation.
Washington, D.C.: GPO, 1985.
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"2003-2004 Bill 4173: Webster Anderson Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Highway
Named." South Carolina General Assembly. (2003)
Retrieved October 3, 2003 from the World Wide Web: http://www.lpitr.state.sc.us/sess115_2003-2004/bills/4173.htm.
 
Crumbo, Chuck. "'He Took His Last Breath With Dignity.': Fairfield County Man, Severely
Injured In Vietnam, Dies of Cancer." The State.com. (September 3, 2003)
Retrieved October 3, 2003 from the World Wide Web: http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/
6678869.htm.
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"Nixon, Giving Medals, Likens 3 to Astronauts."
New York Times, November 25, 1969. P. 32.
Presentation Ceremony at The White House, November 24, 1969. President Nixon's Remarks
on Presenting the Medal of Honor to Three Members of the United States Army. Citation for Webster
Anderson read by Secretary of the Army Stanley R. Resor.
Thompson, Vincent. "He's Modest But Still A Hero: Webster Anderson Paid Dearly."
The Philadelphia Tribune, March 2, 1992, p. 1A.
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