Webster Anderson

U.S. Army
Medal Of Honor, Vietnam

 Photo Courtesy of HomeOfHeroes.com

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During the early morning hours Sergeant First Class Anderson's defensive position was attacked by a North Vietnamese Army infantry unit supported by heavy mortar, recoilless rifle, rocket propelled grenade and automatic weapon fire. The initial onslaught breached the defensive perimeter. SFC Anderson mounted the parapet of his howitzer position and became the mainstay of the defense of the battery position. He 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. While protecting his crew and directing their fire , two enemy grenades exploded at his feet knocking him down and severely wounding him in the legs. Though not able to stand, SFC Anderson propped himself on the parapet and continued to direct howitzer fire upon the enemy. Seeing an enemy grenade land within the gun pit near a wounded member of his gun crew, he seized the grenade and attempted to throw it over the parapet. As it was thrown from the position it exploded and he was again wounded. Although only partially conscious, he refused medical evacuation and continued to encourage his men in the defense of the position.

Webster Anderson was severely wounded in the action that earned him the Medal of Honor, and was evacuated promptly by helicopter in efforts to save his life. The pilot of the medical evacuation helicopter (MEDEVAC) that flew him out to the hospital was Patrick Brady, who would later earn the Medal of Honor for heroic actions in evacuating other wounded in a different action.

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