Anderson, John Thomas, MSG

"Lam Nut Bau troi, Rung chuyen Trai Dat" (Crack the Sky, Shake the Earth)
~ Signal to communist forces telling them to commence the greatest battle in the history of Vietnam. The Tet '68 offensive was countrywide and well coordinated, with more than 80,000 communist troops striking more than 100 towns and cities. The Saigon region was among those areas hit.

MSG Anderson served with the U.S. Military Assistance Command in South Vietnam with the Armed Forces Vietnam Network from March 1967 until he was captured and taken as a Prisoner of War during the Tet Offensive on February 3, 1968. After spending 1,858 days in captivity, MSG Anderson was released during Operation Homecoming on March 5, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries, and then retired from the Army on August 13, 1973. After retiring from the Army, John worked for the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service until retiring again in 1982.

Master Sergeant John T. Anderson distinguished himself by gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with Detachment Number 5, American Forces Television Station, Hue, South Vietnam, American Forces Radio-Television Network, South Vietnam, Military Advisory Command, Republic of Vietnam, on 2 February 1968 during the Communist "Tet Offensive." When the enemy (North Vietnamese Regulars) attempted a sneak armed attack upon the quarters housing Detachment Number 5 personnel at Number 6 Tran Duc Street, Hue, then Sergeant First Class John T. Anderson, Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the detachment, without hesitancy courageously took an uncovered position in the quarters living room. Armed with a shotgun he defended this position for more than 16 hours against several enemy attempts to gain entry into the house. During this period he was severely wounded by enemy grenade fire and was under constant exposure to enemy small arms fire. Throughout the ensuing battle, Sergeant First Class Anderson was instrumental in warding off several enemy attempts to overrun the detachment's position. He personally was responsible for inflicting deadly fire on the attacking enemy force, thereby rendering a demoralizing effect on the attacking enemy force. His position was later overrun and he was held as a Prisoner of War until his release on 5 March 1973. Master Sergeant Anderson's heroic actions are in keeping with the highest tradition of the services and reflect great credit on himself and the United States Army.


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