Pfc James Anderson

On this day in 1968, Pfc. James Anderson, Jr., became the first African American Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Anderson was posthumously awarded for his heroic actions in Vietnam.

Pfc. Anderson found himself bunched together with the other members of his platoon just 20 meters from the enemy. Suddenly, an enemy grenade landed in the midst of the platoon. Anderson grabbed the grenade, pulled it to his chest and curled around it as it went off. His body absorbed the major force of the explosion saving his comrades

Semper Fidelis, Marine.

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