James Anderson , Jr . Private First Class James Anderson , Jr ( January 22 , 1947 - February 28 , 1967 ) was a United States Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for heroism while serving in Vietnam in February 1967 . When his Medal of Honor was awarded on August 21 , 1968 , he became the first African - American U . S . Marine recipient of the Medal of Honor . Biography . Anderson was born on January 22 , 1947 , in Los Angeles , California . After graduating from senior high school , he attended Los Angeles Harbor Junior College for a year and a half . Private Anderson left college to enlist in the United States Marine Corps on February 17 , 1966 and received recruit training with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion , Marine Corps Recruit Depot , San Diego , California . He was promoted to private first class upon graduation from recruit training in August 1966 . He then transferred to Camp Pendleton , California where he received further training with the 2nd Battalion , 2nd Infantry Training Regiment . In December 1966 , Private Anderson arrived in the Republic of Vietnam , where he served as a rifleman with Company F , 2nd Battalion , 3rd Marines , 3rd Marine Division in Quang Tri Province . On February 28 , 1967 he was mortally wounded . Private Anderson was interred at Lincoln Memorial Park in Carson , California ( Plot L - 6 ) . Decorations . A complete list of his medals and decorations includes : the Medal of Honor , the Purple Heart , the National Defense Service Medal , the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star , the Vietnamese Military Merit Medal , the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm , and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal . Medal of Honor citation . The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JAMES ANDERSON , JR . UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a rifleman , Second Platoon , Company F , Second Battalion , Third Marines , Third Marine Division , in Vietnam on 28 February 1967 . Company F was advancing in dense jungle northwest of Cam Lo in an effort to extract a heavily besieged reconnaissance patrol . Private First Class 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 weapon s fire . The platoon reacted swiftly , getting on line as best they could in the thick terrain , and began returning fire . Private First Class Anderson found himself tightly bunched together with the other members of the platoon only 20 meters from the enemy positions . As the fire fight 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 Private First Class Anderson ' s head . Unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own personal safety , he reached out , grasped the grenade , pulled it to his chest and curled around it as it went off . Although several Marines received shrapnel from the grenade , his body absorbed the major force of the explosion . In this singularly heroic act , Private First Class Anderson saved his comrades from serious injury and possible death . His personal heroism , extraordinary valor , and inspirational supreme self - sacrifice reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service . He gallantly gave his life for his country . / S / LYNDON B . JOHNSON In memory . The United States Navy prepositioning ship , USNS " PFC James Anderson , Jr . " ( T - AK 3002 ) is named in honor of Medal of Honor recipient James Anderson , Jr . The name James Anderson , Jr . is inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial ( " The Wall " ) on Panel 15E - Row 112 . " James Anderson , Jr . Memorial Park " in Carson , California , at the corner of Wilmington and University . was named after James Anderson , Jr .