Congressional Medal of Honor

 


Webster Anderson

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Webster Anderson
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.





Legend

"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.
Annotation

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.
Annotation

 
"Nixon, Giving Medals, Likens 3 to Astronauts." New York Times, November 25, 1969. P. 32.
Annotation

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.
Annotation

Thompson, Vincent. "He's Modest But Still A Hero: Webster Anderson Paid Dearly." The Philadelphia Tribune, March 2, 1992, p. 1A.
Annotation


Legend
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