What:

U.S. Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) and U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), in partnership with the United States Postal Service, will host a dedication and plaque presentation ceremony at the Hub City Post Office in honor of U.S. Marine Corps Private James Anderson. The United States Postal Service welcomes the public to attend this free event.

Who:

Maxine Waters, Congresswoman, 43rd District
Nanette Barragán, Congresswoman, 44th District
Patrick Johnson, Postmaster, Compton Post Offices (CA 5) USPS
Iris Ledesma, Manager, Post Office Operations, (CA 5) USPS Emma Sharif, Mayor, City of Compton
The Anderson Family

When:

Wednesday, August 7, 2024, 11 a.m.

Where:

Hub City Post Office
101 S Willowbrook Avenue
Compton, CA 90220-9998

MEDIA ONLY: RSVP to natashi.l.garvins@usps.gov

Background:

President Biden signed into public law, bill H.R. 1095, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 South Willowbrook Avenue in Compton, California, as the “PFC James Anderson, Jr., Post Office Building”. The bill was introduced by Representative Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44) on November 6, 2020.

Born January 22, 1947, in Compton, CA, to Aggiethine and James Anderson, Sr., he was one of seven children born to the couple. After graduating from Centennial High School in Compton, CA, Anderson went to LA Harbor College to study pre-law before deciding to enlist in the Marine Corps in early 1966.

After 10 months in the Marines, Anderson was sent to Vietnam in December 1966 where he served in Company F, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. On February 28, 1967, after just celebrating his 20th birthday and his one-year anniversary in the Marines, Anderson and his platoon came under heavy enemy fire in the Quang Tri province in Vietnam’s central coast.

While among a group of fellow Marines laying on the ground, Anderson came in contact with a grenade within a foot of his head. Without hesitation, Anderson grabbed the grenade and wrapped his body around it to absorb its impact; he was killed instantly. Thanks to his sacrifice, Anderson saved the lives of the Marines surrounding him that day.

Pvt. Anderson's heroic devotion to duty displays why he received the Medal of Honor, after his death, on August 21, 1968. Anderson was the first black Marine to receive the nation’s highest award for valor.

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