Medal of Honor: Webster Anderson, Vietnam War, October 15, 1967

Name: Webster Anderson
Rank: Sergeant First Class
War: Vietnam War
Date of Action: October 15, 1967
Unit: Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile)
Born: July 15, 1933 – Winnsboro, South Carolina
Entered Service At: Winnsboro, South Carolina

Summary of Action
In the predawn darkness near Tam Ky, South Vietnam, a North Vietnamese battalion attacked Battery A’s position with overwhelming firepower. Mortars, recoilless rifles, and rockets tore into the perimeter as waves of infantry breached the wire. In the midst of chaos, Sergeant First Class Webster Anderson — the section chief of a howitzer crew — climbed onto the exposed parapet of his gun pit, refusing cover.

He directed devastating counterfire and hurled grenades at enemy soldiers who surged toward his gun. Two grenades exploded at his feet, mangling both legs, but Anderson propped himself up and kept fighting. When another grenade landed near a wounded crewman, he seized it and threw it away just as it detonated, taking the blast himself. Gravely wounded, drifting in and out of consciousness, he still refused evacuation — shouting orders, urging his men to hold, and rallying the defense until the enemy assault collapsed.

His defiance in the face of mortal wounds saved his battery and embodied the unbreakable spirit of the 101st Airborne.

Medal of Honor Citation
ANDERSON, WEBSTER
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.