Jack Johnstone Sanderson
Private First Class, U.S. Army

Jack Johnstone Sanderson was born on 8 October 1947 in Batavia, NY, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred J. Sanderson. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on 12 March 1968 in New York.

On 24 November 1968, Private First Class Jack Johnstone Sanderson was serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, PFC Sanderson was serving as a medical aidman during a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Tan Tru. As his platoon neared a dense woodline it came under a barrage of hostile fire. Two of his comrades were wounded and fell in an area completely exposed to the enemy gunners. PFC Sanderson moved forward through the fusillade to one of the casualties and, in full view of the communists' emplacement, began to administer first aid. When the man died in spite of his efforts, PFC Sanderson ran across the open rice paddy to where the other injured soldier lay. While he was treating this man, an element from his platoon moved to engage the enemy bunker and was fired upon from a previously undetected position, resulting in several more wounded. Once again, PFC Sanderson braved the hostile fire and went to their aid. As he went from man to man, searching for survivors, he was seriously wounded by enemy rifle fire. Despite his pain and rapid loss of blood, he managed to drag himself up to the last soldier. Finding that none of the men were alive, he started crawling back to his unit's location, but died from his wounds before he reached safety. PFC Sanderson's courageous actions and extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal (Merit)
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Medical Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Jack Johnstone Sanderson (ASN: RA-11644077), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Private First Class Sanderson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 24 November 1968 while serving as a medical aidman during a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Tan Tru. As his platoon approached a dense woodline it came under a sudden barrage of hostile fire. Two of his comrades were wounded and fell in an area completely exposed to the enemy gunners. Private Sanderson courageously moved forward through the fusillade to one of the casualties and, in full view of the communists' emplacement, began to administer first aid. When the man died in spite of his efforts, Private Sanderson, disregarding his safety, charged across the open rice paddy to where the other injured soldier lay. While he was treating this man, an element from his platoon moved to engage the enemy bunker and was fired upon from a previously undetected position, resulting in several more wounded. Once again he braved the hostile fire and went to their aid. As he went from man to man, searching for survivors, he was seriously wounded by enemy rifle fire. Despite severe pain and rapid loss of blood, he managed to drag himself up to the last soldier. Finding that none of the men were alive, he started crawling back to his unit's location, but died from his wounds before he reached safety. Private First Class Sanderson's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 473 (February 11, 1969)

Honors

The name Jack J Sanderson is located on Panel 38W Line 52 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Private First Class Jack Johnstone Sanderson is buried at Warsaw Cemetery in Warsaw, Wyoming County, NY.