H*5287 Concurrent Resolution, By Lourie, Allen, Altman, Anthony, Bailey, Bales, 
Barfield, Battle, Bingham, Bowers, Branham, Breeland, G. Brown, J. Brown, 
R. Brown, Cato, Ceips, Chellis, Clark, Clemmons, Clyburn, Coates, Cobb-Hunter, 
Coleman, Cooper, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Emory, 
Freeman, Frye, Gilham, Gourdine, Govan, Hagood, Hamilton, Harrell, Harrison, 
Harvin, Haskins, Hayes, Herbkersman, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Hosey, Howard, 
Huggins, Jennings, Keegan, Kennedy, Kirsh, Koon, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, 
Littlejohn, Lloyd, Loftis, Lucas, Mack, Mahaffey, Martin, McCraw, McGee, McLeod, 
Merrill, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, J.H. Neal, J.M. Neal, Neilson, Ott, Owens, 
Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinson, E.H. Pitts, M.A. Pitts, Quinn, Rhoad, Rice, 
Richardson, Rivers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scarborough, Scott, Simrill, Sinclair, 
Skelton, D.C. Smith, F.N. Smith, G.M. Smith, G.R. Smith, J.E. Smith, J.R. Smith, 
W.D. Smith, Snow, Stewart, Stille, Talley, Taylor, Thompson, Toole, Townsend, 
Tripp, Trotter, Umphlett, Vaughn, Viers, Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, 
Whitmire, Wilkins, Witherspoon and Young
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND THE EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM OF UNITED STATES
 ARMY SERGEANT FIRST CLASS WEBSTER ANDERSON WHO WAS AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOR
 FOR HIS VALOR IN COMBAT, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARD THAT CAN BE BESTOWED UPON
 A MEMBER OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES.

   05/19/04  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-13
   05/19/04  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-14

TO COMMEND THE EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM OF UNITED STATES ARMY SERGEANT FIRST CLASS WEBSTER ANDERSON WHO WAS AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOR FOR HIS VALOR IN COMBAT, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARD THAT CAN BE BESTOWED UPON A MEMBER OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES.

Whereas, throughout our nation's history, men and women in all eras from Concord and Lexington to Falleujah have gone in harm's way to protect and secure our country's freedom and way of life; and

Whereas, to recognize extraordinary heroism the Congress of the United States established the Medal of Honor which represents the highest award for valor in combat that can be bestowed upon a member of the armed forces of the United States; and

Whereas, there have been more than three thousand four hundred recipients but fewer than one hundred forty remain with us today; and

Whereas, most recipients of the medal are ordinary Americans from ordinary backgrounds who, under extraordinary circumstances and at great risk to their own lives, performed an incredible act or a series of acts of conspicuous valor that clearly sets them apart from their comrades; and

Whereas, thirty-seven citizens with South Carolina roots have received the Medal of Honor since its inception; and

Whereas, United States Army Sergeant First Class Webster Anderson is one of these South Carolinians; and

Whereas, Sergeant First Class Webster Anderson distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as chief of section in Battery A, 2d Battalion, 320th Artillery, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), against a hostile force; and

Whereas, during the early morning hours Battery A'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 enemy onslaught breached the battery defensive perimeter; and

Whereas, Sergeant First Class 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. Sergeant 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; and

Whereas, while protecting his crew and directing their fire against the enemy force 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, Sergeant Anderson propped himself on the parapet and continued to direct howitzer fire upon the closing enemy and encouraged his men to fight on; and

Whereas, seeing an enemy grenade land within the gun pit near a wounded member of his gun crew, Sergeant 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 it exploded and Sergeant Anderson was again grievously wounded; and

Whereas, although only partially conscious and severely wounded, Sergeant Anderson refused medical evacuation and continued to encourage his men in defense of their positions; and

Whereas, Sergeant Anderson's 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; and

Whereas, Sergeant 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 United States Army; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, would like to publicly recognize and honor the memory of Sergeant First Class Webster Anderson, this brave and courageous American, for his extraordinary heroism in the defense of our country and her ideals which epitomizes the very best of what America stands for. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly commend the extraordinary heroism of United States Army Sergeant First Class Webster Anderson who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor in combat, which is the highest award that can be bestowed upon a member of the armed forces of the United States.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the family of Sergeant First Class Webster Anderson.