Richard A . Anderson Lance Corporal Richard Allen Anderson ( 16 April 1948 – 24 August 1969 ) was a United States Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on 24 August 1969 during the Vietnam War . Biography . Anderson was born on 16 April 1948 , in Washington , D . C . At an early age , he moved with his parents to Houston , Texas . He graduated from M . B . Smiley High School there in May 1966 , then attended San Jacinto Junior College in Pasadena , Texas , for a year and a half . Anderson enlisted in the Marine Corps in Houston on 8 April 1968 . Upon completion of recruit training with the 2d Recruit Training Battalion , Marine Corps Recruit Depot , San Diego , California , he received individual combat training with the 1st Battalion , 2d Infantry Training Regiment , Marine Corps Base , Camp Pendleton , California , and returned to San Diego to attend Sea School . He was promoted to Private First Class ( PFC ) effective 1 July 1968 . PFC Anderson completed his training in October 1968 , and was ordered to the Far East , where he joined Sub Unit # 1 , Provisional Service Battalion , 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade . In November 1968 , he was reassigned duty with the 3rd Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam , and served initially as a rifleman with Company D , 1st Battalion , 4th Marines . In January 1969 , he assumed duty as scout and , later , Assistant Fire Team Leader with Company E , 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion , 3rd Marine Division . He was promoted to Lance Corporal effective 1 June 1969 . On 24 August 1969 , while participating in combat approximately 12 miles northwest of Vandergrift Combat Base in Quang Tri Province , he was mortally wounded . Awards . Lance Corporal Anderson ' s decorations include : Medal of Honor citation . The President of the United States in the name of United States Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to LANCE CORPORAL RICHARD A . ANDERSON UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following " For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an Assistant Fire Team Leader with Company E , 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion , 3rd Marine Division , in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in the Republic of Vietnam . While conducting a patrol during the early morning hours of 24 August 1969 , Lance Corporal Anderson ' s reconnaissance team came under a heavy volume of automatic weapons and machine gun fire from a numerically superior and well - concealed enemy force . Although painfully wounded in both legs and knocked to the ground during the initial moments of the fierce fire fight , Lance Corporal Anderson assumed a prone position and continued to deliver intense suppressive fire in an attempt to repulse the attackers . Moments later he was wounded a second time by an enemy soldier who had approached to within eight feet of the team ' s position . Undaunted , he continued to pour a relentless stream of fire at the assaulting unit , even while a companion was treating his legs wounds . Observing an enemy hand grenade land between himself and the other Marine , Lance Corporal Anderson immediately rolled over and covered the lethal weapon with his body , absorbing the full effects of the detonation . By his indomitable courage , inspiring initiative , and selfless devotion to duty , Lance Corporal Anderson was instrumental in saving several Marines from serious injury or possible death . His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the Department of the Navy . He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country . " RICHARD M . NIXON / s / Richard M . Nixon PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA