James Anderson Jr. was born on January 22, 1947, in Los Angeles, California. Following high school, he pursued his ambition to become a preacher at a local church while attending Los Angeles Harbor Junior College. However, after a year and a half, he changed course and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on February 17, 1966. After his training, he was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam in December 1966, serving as a rifleman with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division in Quang Tri Province. On February 28, 1967, during Operation Prairie II, Anderson and his platoon faced heavy enemy fire while attempting to rescue a besieged reconnaissance patrol in dense jungle northwest of Cam Lo. The platoon swiftly responded, returning fire. Anderson found himself lying on the ground among closely grouped Marines, about 21 yards of the enemy and began firing back at them.  Suddenly, a grenade landed just a few feet from Anderson's head. Without hesitation, Anderson selflessly grabbed the grenade, pulled it into his chest and wrapped himself around it before it detonated. Anderson valiantly defended his comrades, even selflessly sacrificing himself by shielding them from an incoming grenade. Anderson's body absorbed the blast and He was immediately killed. His heroic act saved his fellow Marines, though it cost him his life. He was laid to rest at Lincoln Memorial Park in Carson, California. On August 21, 1968, Anderson posthumously received the Medal of Honor, which was accepted by his parents from Navy Secretary Paul R. Ignatius during a ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington. This distinction made him the first Black Marine to be honored with the nation's highest award for valor. In addition to the Medal of Honor, Anderson was awarded the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with a bronze star, the Vietnamese Military Merit Medal, the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Private First Class James Anderson Juniors legacy lives on through his name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, a US Navy ship named in his honor, a park dedicated to him, a Marine Base Hall bearing his name, and various highways and streets named after him.

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