LOPEZ, JOSE M. - Medal of Honor Recipient
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.
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