"On his own initiative, he carried his heavy machine gun 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 machine gun 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. López'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."
From Sgt. López's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on June 18, 1945.
May you be at peace,
Brian
Memorial statue at the Veteran's Park in Brownsville, TX
No comments:
Post a Comment