Sfc. Webster Anderson lost an arm and both legs to grenade attacks, while defending a field artillery battery belonging to the 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Division, of the 101st Airborne (the Screaming Eagles). He still managed to keep fighting, and save the lives of many team members. And he survived the battle, and the war, and returned home and built a family.
On 15 October 1967 his unit was attacked near Tam Ky, Vietnam, by North Vietnamese Army (NVA) forces. The attacking NVA forces were equipped with recoilless rifles (a portable artillery system – see photo below), mortars, and rocket propelled grenades in addition to automatic rifles.
Recoilless rifle
Sfc. Webster Anderson’s Three Grenades
Sfc. Anderson’s Battery A saw its defensive perimeter breached at the first shot. As the enemy poured offensive fire into the gap, Webster Anderson climbed onto his howitzer to direct his unit’s defense. He simultaneously fired the howitzer and his rifle, and directed grenade attacks against the enemy.
In the midst of the battle, Sfc. Anderson took direct hits from two grenades. Both his legs were wounded, and he was no longer able to stand. From a crawling position he continued to direct the defense of Battery A.
When an enemy grenade landed near a wounded member of his gun crew, Sfc. Anderson grabbed the grenade and tried to toss it out of the pit. It exploded near his hand, injuring him a third time. He refused to be evacuated, and continued to encourage his men to fight.
46 men were in Battery A that day. Twelve of them survived the battle, including Webster Anderson. He was flown out by legendary helicopter pilot Patrick Brady. Brady also was awarded a Medal of Honor for the many medevac missions he flew, saving lives of wounded GI’s at great personal risk.
Miraculously, Webster Anderson survived the battle, and the war. The 320th Field Artillery Association notes, “After being sent home and spending a year in the hospital, he still never quit. Upon leaving the service he moved back to his home in Winnsboro where he led an active life with his family. He expressed no bitterness about the high personal price he paid for his service to the nation.”
“He donned his artificial limbs and opened a TV repair business, putting three kids through college. Webster Anderson died at age 70 on August 30, 2003 of colon cancer and was buried in Blackjack Baptist Church Cemetery in his hometown.”
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.
