Jose M. Lopez

Infobox Military Person
name= Jose Mendoza Lopez
born= birth date|1910|7|10
died= death date and age|2005|5|16|1910|7|10
placeofbirth= Mission, Texas [Lopez' birth place in most references, including his Medal of Honor citation, is listed as Mission, Texas. However, other sources (Washington Post obituary) indicate that he was born in Mexico.]
placeofdeath=San Antonio, Texas
placeofburial=


caption=Master Sergeant Jose M. Lopez, Medal of Honor
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch=United States Army
serviceyears= 1942-1946
rank= Sergeant First Class Note: the rank of SFC did not exist during the period 1942-46.
commands=
unit= 23rd Infantry Regiment, U.S. 2nd Infantry Division
battles= World War II *Battle of Normandy *Battle of the Bulge Korean War
awards= Medal of Honor Purple Heart
laterwork=

Jose Mendoza Lopez (July 10, 1910 – May 16, 2005) was a United States Army soldier who was awarded the United States' highest military decoration for valor in combat — the Medal of Honor — for his heroic actions during the Battle of the Bulge, in which he single-handedly repulsed a German infantry attack, killing at least 100 enemy troops. [Medal of Honor citation.]

Early years

Lopez was raised by his mother Candida Lopez in Veracruz, Mexico. As a young boy he helped his mother sell clothes that she made as a seamstress in the city. However, his time with his mother was cut short due to tuberculosis which took her life when Lopez was only eight years old. Lopez then relocated to Brownsville, Texas to live with his uncle's family.

While living in with his uncle's family Lopez began working various jobs to bring in income and never returned to school. As a young man, Lopez caught the attention of a boxing promoter and for seven years he traveled the country fighting a total of 55 fights in the lightweight division with the nickname of 'Kid Mendoza'. In 1934, during a boxing match in Melbourne, Australia, he met a group of Merchant Marines and signed a contract with them. He was accepted in the union in 1936 and spent the next five years traveling the world.

He was en route to California from Hawaii on December 7, 1941, when he learned about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. When he arrived in Los Angeles, the authorities believed he was Japanese and he was forced to prove otherwise.

Lopez returned to Brownsville and, in 1942, married Emilia Herrera. That same year, he received his draft card and relocated to San Antonio where he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Lopez was first sent to Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and then to Camp Roberts, California, where he received his basic training. [ [http://utopia.utexas.edu/explore/latino/narratives/07Lopez_Jose.html Jose M. Lopez interview] ]

Medal of Honor citation

Jose M. Lopez
"
Rank and organization:"Sergeant, U.S. Army, 23d Infantry, 2d Infantry Division
"
Place and date:"Near Krinkelt, Belgium, December 17, 1944
"
Entered service at:"Brownsville, Texas
"
Born:"Mission, Texas
"
G.O. No.: 47, June 18, 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. [ [http://www.medalofhonor.com/JoseLopez.htm Medal of Honor citation] ]

Post World War II

Lopez received an enthusiastic reception when his ship landed in New York City and he was greeted by New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia. On a visit to Mexico City, he was greeted by the president of Mexico, Manuel Ávila Camacho and awarded Mexico’s highest military commendation, "la Condecoración del Mérito Militar".

He later moved his family to San Antonio, where he was hired as a contact representative with the Veterans Administration. Upon the outbreak of the Korean War, Lopez was accidentally ordered to serve for his country and without hesitation was prepared to do so, until President Harry S. Truman, heard of and corrected the matter so that Lopez could remain in the United States. [ [http://utopia.utexas.edu/explore/latino/narratives/07Lopez_Jose.html Jose M. Lopez interview/continued] ]

Toward the later years of his life Lopez retired and lived permanently in San Antonio with his wife Emilia.

Namesakes

The city of Mission, Texas, Lopez' hometown, has recognized Sgt Lopez by naming a street and a city park — Jose M. Lopez Park — in his honor. [cite web|url=http://www.missiontexas.us/joselopez.htm
title=Sergeant Jose M. Lopez, U.S. Army, 23rd Infantry, 2nd Infantry Division (1912-2005)
work=Famous People
publisher=City of Mission, Texas
accessdate=2006-07-23]

The Northeast Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas, has recognized Sgt Lopez by naming a middle school in his honor, Jose M. Lopez Middle School.

Awards and Recognitions

Among Jose M. Lopez's decorations and medals were the following:

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ee also

*List of Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients

Notes

References

*cite web|url=http://www.medalofhonor.com/JoseLopez.htm
title=World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient U.S. Army Sgt. Jose M. Lopez
publisher=HomeofHeroes.com
accessdate=2006-07-23

*cite news|url=http://www.medalofhonor.com/JoseLopez.htm
title=Medal of Honor Winner Jose M. Lopez Dies at 94
author=Adam Bernstein
work=Obituary
publisher=Washington Post
date=May 18, 2005
accessdate=2006-07-23

*cite web|url=http://www.utopia.utexas.edu/explore/latino/narratives/07Lopez_Jose.html
title=LaGuardia at the dock: When Jose M. Lopez returned from Europe, he was a hero, the toast of N.Y. and then Mexico City. That’s how it is for a Medal of Honor recipient
author=Ernie Garrido
work=Latinos & WWII
publisher=University of Texas at Austin
accessdate=2006-07-23

HI

External links

* [http://www.army.mil/hispanicamericans Hispanic Americans in the U.S. Army]

*cite web|url=http://www.cmohs.org/recipients/featured.htm
title=Sgt. Lopez Fought Off Entire Horde with Heavy Machinegun
work=Featured Recipient of May-July 2006: Jose M. Lopez
publisher=Congressional Medal of Honor Society
date=July 10, 2006
accessdate=2006-07-23

*cite news|url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20050517/ai_n14634273
title=Jose Lopez, Medal of Honor in WWII (Obituary)
work=Chicago Sun-Times
date=May 17, 2005
accessdate=2006-07-23

Persondata
NAME = Lopez, Jose Mendoza
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = World War II Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH = July 10, 1910
PLACE OF BIRTH = Mission, Texas
DATE OF DEATH = May 16, 2005
PLACE OF DEATH = San Antonio, Texas