11 Nov 2001 My cousin Jimmy - as a young boy I knew him as "Corky". I have fond memories of playing Army in nearby vacant fields in Anaheim. He knew so much about being a soldier and taught me as much about military discipline, weapons and "hitting the dirt". The last time I saw Jimmy was in August 1967, a family reunion at my parents house in Bellflower. I remember, just before he and his mother left that day, we talked about me going to Japan. I was enlisted in the Air Force at the time. We also talked at length about him returning to Vietnam that December. He was not afraid of going to Vietnam, even though it was to be his second tour of duty there. He felt that the Vietnamese people needed our help and that our involvement was critical to their future. Jimmy died there in September 1968, he gave his life on the battle field for those he cared for, in Vietnam and at home. Like me, family and friends who knew him, do miss him ... but we will never forget him. Bill Burch billburch@hughes.net

 

02 Jan 2008 Jim - It is hard to believe that this year will be 40 years since you left us. Your Mother is now with you in heaven, and I am sure you have had a great reunion. We still miss you always, and you will never be forgotten. You would be proud of the cousin, my youngest daughter, who was born a few months after your death, and named for you. She is a wonderful young woman. You were my cousin but more like a little brother. Our love will always be with you. Janet Taggart jet0616@aol.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 5-6 September 1968, seven Companies of the 101st Airborne Division conducted a cordon and search operation directed at locating and destroying the 7th VC Local Force Battalion. During the night of 6 September 1968 the 7th VC broke through the Alpha 3/187 position. Although Alpha 3/187 held its position against the much larger enemy force, Staff Sergeant James Anderson and 30 other American soldiers died in fierce hand-to-hand combat. DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Headquarters 101st Airborne Division APO San Francisco 96383 21 July 1969 GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 9228 AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR (POSTHUMOUS) TC 320. The following AWARD is announced. ANDERSON, JAMES H. STAFF SERGEANT Co A, 3d Battalion 187th Infantry Awarded: The Silver Star (Posthumous) Effective month: NA Date action: 6 September 1968 Theater: Republic of Vietnam Reason: For gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 6 September 1968. Staff Sergeant Anderson distinguished himself near the village of Ap Duong Trau Nho, Republic of Vietnam, while serving as a platoon sergeant for Company A, 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry. The Fourth Platoon of Company A was maintaining a cordon around the village when an enemy force broke through the center of the Company and flanking attacks were directed on the Fourth Platoon. The position to Staff Sergeant Anderson's right was hit by the enemy thrust. Although previously wounded himself, Staff Sergeant Anderson lead a relief party against the enemy thrust, stopped the first enemy flanking attack, and brought one of his wounded men to safety. Realizing how seriously he was wounded, he refused medical aid and propped himself against a rice paddy dike to continue firing upon the enemy until he succumbed to his wounds. Staff Sergeant Anderson's personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. Authority: By direction of the President of the United States under provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 25 July 1963. FOR THE COMMANDER: M. H. MURLEY Colonel, GS Chief of Staff (Retyped from original document by Bill Burch, July 1999) Although trained as a medic, SSG Anderson was serving as a line NCO - Platoon Sergeant for the 4th Platoon. Visit John Dennison's Medics on the Wall memorial which honors the Army Medics and Navy Corpsmen who died in Vietnam.

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