Charles Ernest Hosking, Jr.

Charles Ernest Hosking, Jr.
Army Medal of Honor
Born	May 12, 1924(1924-05-12) Ramsey, New Jersey
Died	March 21, 1967(1967-03-21) (aged 42) Đôn Luân district, Phuoc Long Province, South Vietnam
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1944 - 1967
Rank	Master Sergeant
Unit	5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces Regiment
Battles/wars	Vietnam War
Awards	Medal of Honor

Charles Ernest Hosking, Jr. (May 12, 1924 – March 21, 1967) was a United States Army Special Forces soldier who received the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War. He was awarded the medal posthumously for holding a Viet Cong prisoner with a live grenade, taking the brunt of the blast rather than allowing the prisoner to reach several of his commanders.

Biography

Born on May 12, 1924, in Ramsey, New Jersey, Hosking joined the Army from Fort Dix in 1944, and served in WWII. He later served in Vietnam as a sergeant first class in Company A of the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces Regiment. On March 21, 1967, he was working as an advisor to a Civilian Irregular Defense Group battalion in Đôn Luân district, Phuoc Long Province, when a Viet Cong sniper was captured. As Hosking prepared to transport the prisoner to base camp, the man grabbed a hand grenade from Hosking's belt, armed it, and ran towards the 4-man company command group. Hosking tackled the prisoner and held him to the ground, using the prisoner's body and his own to shield others from the grenade blast. Both he and the Viet Cong prisoner were killed in the ensuing explosion. Hosking was posthumously promoted to master sergeant and awarded the Medal of Honor for this action.^[1]

Hosking was buried at Valleau Cemetery in his birthplace of Ramsey, New Jersey.^[2] Hosking Way, a road off of Darlington Avenue in Ramsey, is named in his honor.

Medal of Honor citation

Hosking's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Master Sergeant Hosking (then Sergeant First Class), Detachment A-302, Company A, greatly distinguished himself while serving as company advisor in the III Corps Civilian Irregular Defense Group Reaction Battalion during combat operations in Don Luan District. A Viet Cong suspect was apprehended and subsequently identified as a Viet Cong sniper. While MSG Hosking was preparing the enemy for movement back to the base camp, the prisoner suddenly grabbed a hand grenade from MSG Hosking's belt, armed the grenade, and started running towards the company command group which consisted of 2 Americans and 2 Vietnamese who were standing a few feet away. Instantly realizing that the enemy intended to kill the other men, MSG Hosking immediately leaped upon the Viet Cong's back. With utter disregard for his personal safety, he grasped the Viet Cong in a "Bear Hug" forcing the grenade against the enemy soldier's chest. He then wrestled the Viet Cong to the ground and covered the enemy's body with his body until the grenade detonated. The blast instantly killed both MSG Hosking and the Viet Cong. By absorbing the full force of the exploding grenade with his body and that of the enemy, he saved the other members of his command group from death or serious injury. MSG Hosking's risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest tradition of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.^[1]

See also

	Biography portal
	United States Army portal

• List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Medal of Honor Recipients - Vietnam (A–L)". Medal of Honor Citations. United States Army Center of Military History. December 3, 2010. http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/vietnam-a-l.html. Retrieved May 29, 2011. 
2. ^ Bertocci, Laura (May 29, 2011). "Memorial Day Preview: A Day of Remembrance". Ridgewood Patch (Ridgewood, New Jersey). Archived from the original on May 29, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5z3BTCEXD. 

External links

• "Charles Ernest Hosking, Jr.". Hall of Valor. Military Times. http://www.militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=396. 

Persondata
Name	Hosking Jr., Charles E.
Alternative names
Short description	United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
Date of birth	May 12, 1924
Place of birth	Ramsey, New Jersey
Date of death	March 21, 1967
Place of death	Phuoc Long Province, Republic of Vietnam