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Hispanic-American Medal of Honor Recipients LOPEZ, BALDOMERO Rank and organization: First
Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division
(Rein.).
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Hispanic-American Medal of Honor Recipients LOPEZ, BALDOMERO Rank and organization: First
Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division
(Rein.).
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Citation: For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a marine
platoon commander of Company A, in action against enemy aggressor forces. With his
platoon 1st Lt. Lopez was engaged in the reduction of immediate enemy beach defenses
after landing with the assault waves. Exposing himself to hostile fire, he moved forward
alongside a bunker and prepared to throw a handgrenade into the next pillbox whose
fire was pinning down that sector of the beach. Taken under fire by an enemy automatic
weapon and hit in the right shoulder and chest as he lifted his arm to throw, he fell
backward and dropped the deadly missile. After a moment, he turned and dragged his
body forward in an effort to retrieve the grenade and throw it. In critical condition
from pain and loss of blood, and unable to grasp the handgrenade firmly enough to
hurl it, he chose to sacrifice himself rather than endanger the lives of his men and,
with a sweeping motion of his wounded right arm, cradled the grenade under him and
absorbed the full impact of the explosion. His exceptional courage, fortitude, and
devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon 1st Lt. Lopez and the U.S. Naval
Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.