Cpl Michael D. Anderson, Jr.

Son Michael D. Anderson, Jr. USMC

Parents - Mike, Sr. and wife, Angela live in Modesto, CA

 

Member of 2nd Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (2d F.A.S.T. Co.) based at

Yorktown Naval Weapons Station, VA 2001-2004

 

Member 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Kilo Co., 1st Marine Division 2004

Served in OIF Iraq, Killed In Combat Action Dec 14, 2004.

 

Mike Jr. joined the Marine Corps at 18 years of age, in 2001. He spent (3) years as

a 2d F.A.S.T. Company Marine, or Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team, based out the

Yorktown Naval Weapons Station, Yorktown, Virginia. MOS 8152. He trained with

Navy Seals, and Delta Teams.

 

In 4th quarter of 2003, Mike Jr. was deployed to Yokusaka, Japan, and had the

opportunity to visit and tour the island of Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Hong Kong on

that deployment. He also learned detonations and explosives in Guam, spending

three nights in the jungles while a member of F.A.S.T. Co. during that time.

 

In February 2004, his platoon of 50 were deployed to Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, to

secure and defend our US Embassy, Ambassador James Foley, The Presidential

Palace, The Consulate Office, and our American interests there during the bloody

Rebel advance to the Capitol City. His team was very successful in this mission,

earning several Medals, and accolades for their assigned task.

 

Mike Jr. had the opportunity to join the most highly decorated infantry unit in the

Marine Corp; 3rd Battalion of the 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, in mid

2004 and he jumped at the chance. Based out of Camp Pendleton, 3/5 “Darkhorse”

has a unique unparalleled history in warfare. He knew of the upcoming late 2004

assault on Fallujah, and he wanted to utilize his war skills in close quarters

combat and urban assault/warfare. Mike Jr’s MOS switched to an 0311 Infantry Rifleman, and he became a Squad Leader in Kilo Company, training several other Marines with some of the tactics that learned in F.A.S.T.

 

The unit left for Fallujah, Iraq on September the 11th of 2004. On November 8th of 2004, they loaded in Amtrak’s, crossed the line outside of the wire, and secured an apartment complex in the northwest corner of the city.

 

Operation Phantom Fury aka The “Battle for Fallujah” was officially on! They went

house to house, kicking doors, searching for weapons and insurgents. Firefights

 

were very common and sometimes he would get “pinned down” for up to twenty-

five minutes at a time by enemy combatants. They lived on the streets fighting for

every inch of ground throughout the 7 day assault to retake the city.

 

Corporal Anderson Jr. eagerly assumed the task and in the face of grave danger,

he led his squad with the “Come Boys, Follow Me” leadership style as opposed to

pointing the finger from a safe distance. He had the “No Fear” attitude and the self-

confidence to support his actions. He was not afraid of anything and was very “Hi-

Speed”, always looking for excitement and living his life to the fullest. He was always the first to “kick the door”, and be the first one in, always ready to engage and suppress the enemy; and always on the trigger. He took the fight to the bad guys.

 

Sadly, on a cold December 14th of 2004, he kicked an interior door to find 8 enemy

insurgents waiting for him in an ambush. He was killed instantly by a single

insurgent’s bullet that pierced his heart.

 

When they say that Marines are a different breed, this kid was tough as nails. He was very passionate about his service in the Marine Corps and the missions that he was given to accomplish. He believed in what he was doing and had faith in humanity. Mike Jr. knowingly and voluntarily put himself in constant harms way daily for our freedoms, beliefs, and

our American way of life.

 

He was a “Stellar Stud Marine” and we will miss him forever...

Michael D., Sr. & Angela Anderson Modesto, California

Proud Parents of The Late Cpl. Michael D. Anderson Jr. USMC

Killed In Combat Action 14 December 2004 Fallujah, Iraq

Operation Phantom Fury aka “Battle For Fallujah”

3rd Bn / 5th Marines, Kilo Co, RCT-1, 1st Plt, 3rd Squad

1st Mar Div, “Blue Diamond” Camp Pendleton, Ca

www.cplandersonjr.org

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Awards

1) Purple Heart Medal w/Gold Star (2) Citations

2) Navy / Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/Combat “V”

3) Combat Action Ribbon

4) Navy Unit Commendation (NUC)

5) Good Conduct Ribbon (Good Cookie)

6) National Defense Service Medal

7) Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM)

8) Iraq Campaign Medal

9) Global war on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-E)

10) Global war on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOT)

11) Humanitarian Service medal

12)Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/(2) Stars for (3) Awards

French Fourragere (5th Marine Regiment)

Rifle Expert Badge

Pistol Sharpshooter Badge