Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award from President Richard M. Nixon at the White House on November 24, 1969, for his actions as a Staff Sergeant with Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 320th Artillery, 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army, on October 15, 1967, at Tam Ky, South Vietnam. He joined the U.S. Army in 1953 and served in the Korean War. He remained in the U.S. Army following the war, and, in 1967, was assigned to South Vietnam. On that day, his artillery unit was attacked by North Vietnamese forces. He directed the defense of the unit's position and continued to lead after twice being severely wounded. Despite losing both of his legs and part of an arm, he survived his wounds and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant First Class before retiring in 1968. He was also awarded the Purple Heart. He died from colon cancer at the age of 70. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "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-weapons 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, two 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."