Jose M Lopez-San Antonio, TX
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member Don.Morfe
N 29° 28.578 W 098° 25.974
14R E 554980 N 3260891
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient for action near Krinkelt, Belgium on December 17, 1944. He is buried in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, TX in Section A1, Site 542.
Waymark Code: WMX30Q
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 11/19/2017
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member NW_history_buff
Views: 1

He was born on July 10, 1910 in Santiago Ihuitlan Plumus, Oaxaca, Mexico and died on May 16, 2005 in San Antonio, TX. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: LOPEZ, JOSE M.
• Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, 23d Infantry, 2d Infantry Division
• Place and date: Near Krinkelt, Belgium, 17 December 1944
• Entered service at: Brownsville, Tex.
• G.O. No.: 47, 18 June 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.
Armed Service: Army

Visit Instructions:
To properly log your find, post a photograph of the medal recipient's grave marker. Do not place anything on the grave when taking the photo. If you have more information about the recipient please include it in your log.

Search for...
Geocaching.com Google Map
Google Maps
MapQuest
Bing Maps
Nearest Waymarks
Nearest Medal Of Honor Resting Places
Nearest Geocaches
Create a scavenger hunt using this waymark as the center point
Recent Visits/Logs:
Date Logged Log User Rating  
Don.Morfe visited Jose M Lopez-San Antonio, TX 12/19/2021 Don.Morfe visited it
Benchmark Blasterz visited Jose M Lopez-San Antonio, TX 01/14/2018 Benchmark Blasterz visited it

View all visits/logs