The
President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March
3, 1863, has awarded in the name of The Congress the Medal of Honor to
Sergeant
UNITED STATES ARMY
*LOPEZ, JOSE M.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, 23d Infantry, 2d Infantry
Division. Place and date: Near Krinkelt, Belgium, 17 December 1944. Entered
service at: Brownsville, Tex. Birth: Mission, Tex. G.O. No.: 47, 18 June 1945.
Citation: On his own initiative, he carried his heavy machinegun from Company
K's right flank to its left, in order to protect that flank which was in danger
of being overrun by advancing enemy infantry supported by tanks. Occupying a
shallow hole offering no protection above his waist, he cut down a group of 10
Germans. Ignoring enemy fire from an advancing tank, he held his position and
cut down 25 more enemy infantry attempting to turn his flank. Glancing to his
right, he saw a large number of infantry swarming in from the front. Although
dazed and shaken from enemy artillery fire which had crashed into the ground
only a few yards away, he realized that his position soon would be outflanked.
Again, alone, he carried his machinegun to a position to the right rear of the
sector; enemy tanks and infantry were forcing a withdrawal. Blown over backward
by the concussion of enemy fire, he immediately reset his gun and continued his
fire. Single-handed he held off the German horde until he was satisfied his
company had effected its retirement. Again he loaded his gun on his back and in
a hail of small arms fire he ran to a point where a few of his comrades were
attempting to set up another defense against the onrushing enemy. He fired from
this position until his ammunition was exhausted. Still carrying his gun, he
fell back with his small group to Krinkelt. Sgt. Lopez's gallantry and
intrepidity, on seemingly suicidal missions in which he killed at least 100 of
the enemy, were almost solely responsible for allowing Company K to avoid being
enveloped, to withdraw successfully and to give other forces coming up in
support time to build a line which repelled the enemy drive.
|
