Corporal Vernon Anderson

Early Life

Vernon Anderson was born on August 14, 1933, in Gloster, Mississippi, to Kurly and Solomon Anderson. He was the fourth child in a family that included three brothers and one sister. Gloster is located in Amite County, a region where, during the 1930s, 86% of the population lived on farms. At the time, African Americans comprised just over half of the county’s population, with the majority working as tenant farmers. 

As a young man, Vernon Anderson worked as a farm hand in a racially segregated community. Vernon’s father, Kurly, served in World War I as a private in the U.S. Army, having been inducted in 1918 along with several farmers from the area. Unknowingly at the time, Vernon would eventually follow in his father’s footsteps.

Education was a significant challenge in Vernon’s early life. In his community, only 23% of children completed elementary school, reflecting the limited access to educational opportunities for African Americans in rural Mississippi during that era. Despite the hardships he faced, Anderson’s story is one of perseverance against the backdrop of a difficult social and economic landscape.

Homefront

Vernon’s Anderson’s hometown was an area of economic significance during the Korean War. Amite County ranked fifth in the state of Mississippi for the number of cattle, and the area was particularly notable for its petroleum and gas production. The leading industrial employer in the county was the timber industry, while agriculture also played a key role in the local economy. During wartime, crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat became essential products, contributing to both the local economy and the broader war effort.

In addition to its economic activities, Amite County was a focal point for civil rights activism, particularly in the early years of the organized movement. Local activists faced intense opposition, becoming targets of racially motivated crimes and murders. The county also played a significant role during World War II, as it became home to the U.S. Army’s Camp Van Dorn, where soldiers trained for combat in Europe. The camp, which housed over 50,000 troops, was marked by notable confrontations between White and African American soldiers, reflecting the racial tensions of the time. One of the most notable confrontations took place on May 30, 1943, near the main gate of Camp Van Dorn. There, local White lawmen shot and killed Private William Walker, an African American serviceman in the 364^th Infantry Regiment. His death sparked a brief period of unrest within the camp, although it was quickly contained. However, rumors of widespread violence and chaos began to spread among civilians in the nearby town of Centreville, Mississippi and beyond. The tension escalated further when Black soldiers from the 364^th Infantry Division were assigned to the camp later that year. Almost immediately, confrontations broke out between the soldiers and even the citizens of Centreville. The situation only calmed after the regiment was transferred to the Aleutian Islands.

Military Experience

While we may not know the specific details of Vernon Anderson’s experience during the Korean War, it is clear that he was a man of remarkable toughness and bravery. For African American soldiers like Vernon Anderson, their service was made even harder by the segregation and racism they encountered. They fought for a country that, in many ways, refused to fight for them. The battle was not only against a foreign enemy but also against prejudices that aimed to diminish the value of his service. Anderson did not allow discrimination to define his life or experience in the military. Instead, he rose above it, embodying the true spirit of service.

Veteran Experience

After returning from the Korean War, Vernon Anderson married Ms. Essie Laverne Ransom in 1970. Their marriage lasted until Vernon’s passing in 2022, and together they had three children. Upon returning home, Vernon worked a variety of jobs to provide for his family. 

He spent 25 years with Hemphill Sausage and Souse Company, worked with Pepsi Bottling Company, and also worked in construction. 

In addition to his work, Vernon Anderson was deeply involved in his community. He served as a trustee at Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church, an important role that contributed to the church’s operations. 

Reflection

Vernon Anderson passed away at the VA Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi on October 26, 2022 at age 89. He was buried at the Mississippi State Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Newton, Mississippi.

Anderson’s legacy was honored through a touching tribute video on his obituary page, which featured numerous family photos that highlighted the love he had for his family. His children described him as the “rock” of the family, and their heartfelt words reflected the immense void his passing left in their lives. It is clear that he lived a life of honor, courage, and love, consistently doing what was right. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said: “The time is always right to do what is right.” Vernon Anderson embodied this principle, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.

Bibliography

Primary Sources

 “Amite County.” Mississippi Encyclopedia. Last modified April 13, 2018. Accessed November 6, 2024. https://mississippiencyclopedia.org/entries/amite-county/.

Curley Anderson. U.S., Lists of Men Ordered to Report to Local Board for Military Duty, 1917–1918. Digital image. https://ancestry.com. 

Cline, David. Twice Forgotten: African Americans and the Korean War, An Oral History. The University of North Carolina Press, 2021. 

Mississippi. Amite County. 1940 U.S. Census. Digital images. http://ancestryclassroom.com.  

“Patrolman M.C. Errington Badly Beaten by Negro; Latter Killed by Officer.” McComb Daily Journal [McComb, MS], October 9, 1944. Newspapers.com (252092788).

Secondary Sources

“Vernon Anderson.” Jackson Memorial Funeral Service. Updated October 26, 2022. Accessed December 23, 2024. https://www.jacksonmemorialfuneralservice.com/obituary/8284783.  

“Vernon Anderson.” Find a Grave. Updated December 29, 2022. Accessed February 28, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/247862158/vernon-anderson. 

“Vernon Anderson.” National Cemetery Administration. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://gravelocator.cem.va.gov.  

“Vernon Anderson.” Veterans Legacy Memorial, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Accessed February 28, 2025. https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/VERNONANDERSON/a1f7fa.

This profile was funded by a grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The opinions, findings, and conclusions stated herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.