|
|||||||||||||||
PFC CARLOS J. LOZADA MEDAL
OF HONOR
|
|
||||||||||||||
Citation:
|
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Lozada, U.S. Army, distinguished himself
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in the battle of Dak
To. While serving as a machine gunner with 1st platoon, Company A, Pfc. Lozada
was part of a 4-man early warning outpost, located 35 meters from his company's
lines. At 1400 hours a North Vietnamese Army company rapidly approached the
outpost along a well defined trail. Pfc. Lozada alerted his comrades and
commenced firing at the enemy who were within 10 meters of the outpost. His
heavy and accurate machine gun fire killed at least 20 North Vietnamese soldiers
and completely disrupted their initial attack. Pfc. Lozada remained in an
exposed position and continued to pour deadly fire upon the enemy despite the
urgent pleas of his comrades to withdraw. The enemy continued their assault,
attempting to envelop the outpost. At the same time enemy forces launched a
heavy attack on the forward west flank of Company A with the intent to cut them
off from their battalion. Company A was given the order to withdraw. Pfc. Lozada
apparently realized that if he abandoned his position there would be nothing to
hold back the surging North Vietnamese soldiers and that the entire company
withdrawal would be jeopardized. He called for his comrades to move back and
that he would stay and provide cover for them. He made this decision realizing
that the enemy was converging on 3 sides of his position and only meters away,
and a delay in withdrawal meant almost certain death. Pfc. Lozada continued to
deliver a heavy, accurate volume of suppressive fire against the enemy until he
was mortally wounded and had to be carried during the withdrawal. His heroic
deed served as an example and an inspiration to his comrades throughout the
ensuing 4-day battle. Pfc. Lozada's actions are in the highest traditions of the
U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
|
||||||||||||||
Additional Data: |
--- General / Personal ---
Last name: LOZADA First name: CARLOS JAMES Home of Record (official): NEW YORK State (official): NY Date of Birth: Friday, September 6, 1946 Sex: Male Race: Caucasian Marital Status: Married
--- Military ---
Branch: Army Rank: PFC Serial Number: 51611285 Component: Selective Service Pay grade: E3 MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): Unknown/Not reported
--- Action ---
Start of Tour: Sunday, June 11, 1967 Date of Casualty: Monday, November 20, 1967 Age at time of loss: 21 Casualty type: (A3) Hostile, died while missing Reason: Multiple fragmentation wounds (Ground casualty) Country: South VietNam Province: Kontum The Wall: Panel 30E - Row 045
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||
OUR WEBSITES |
AUTHORS |
FEATURES |
STAND IN THE DOOR! |
FOLLOW |
Gerry Riseley
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
||
REFERENCES |
FILM CLIPS |
|||
The 503d PRCT Heritage Battalion is the Official Website of the 503d Parachute RCT Association of WWII Inc. Join with us and share the 503d Heritage and values. So that the last man standing shall not stand alone.
|
|
Copyright �, 1999-2013 - All Rights Reserved
to The
Corregidor Historic Society, 503d PRCT Heritage Bn. & Rock Force.Org |