Medal of Honor: Charles Ernest Hosking, Jr. – U.S. Army – Vietnam War

Name: Charles Ernest Hosking, Jr.
Rank: Master Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company A, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces
Place: Phuoc Long Province, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Fort Dix, New Jersey
Born: 12 May 1924, Ramsey, New Jersey

Summary of Action

On 21 March 1967, M/Sgt. Charles E. Hosking, Jr., then serving as a Special Forces advisor with Detachment A-302, was attached to a Civilian Irregular Defense Group reaction battalion conducting operations in Don Luan District.

During the mission, a suspect was captured and identified as a Viet Cong sniper.

As Hosking prepared the prisoner for movement back to base camp, the captive suddenly seized a grenade from Hosking’s belt, armed it, and sprinted toward a nearby command group consisting of two Americans and two Vietnamese soldiers standing only a few feet away.

There was no time for anyone else to react.

Hosking moved instantly.

With complete disregard for his own life, he leaped onto the fleeing enemy’s back and locked him in a crushing bear hug, forcing the armed grenade tight against the prisoner’s chest.

He wrestled the man to the ground and covered him with his own body.

Seconds later, the grenade exploded.

Both men were killed instantly.

By absorbing the blast through his own body and pinning the enemy in place, Hosking saved the four members of the command group from certain death or grievous injury.

Medal of Honor Citation

HOSKING, CHARLES ERNEST, JR.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. M/Sgt. Hosking (then Sfc.), Detachment A-302, Company A, greatly distinguished himself while serving as company advisor in the III Corps Civilian Irregular Defense Group Reaction Battalion during combat operations in Don Luan District. A Viet Cong suspect was apprehended and subsequently identified as a Viet Cong sniper. While M/Sgt. Hosking was preparing the enemy for movement back to the base camp, the prisoner suddenly grabbed a hand grenade from M/Sgt. Hosking’s belt, armed the grenade, and started running towards the company command group which consisted of 2 Americans and 2 Vietnamese who were standing a few feet away. Instantly realizing that the enemy intended to kill the other men, M/Sgt. Hosking immediately leaped upon the Viet Cong’s back. With utter disregard for his personal safety, he grasped the Viet Cong in a “Bear Hug” forcing the grenade against the enemy soldier’s chest. He then wrestled the Viet Cong to the ground and covered the enemy’s body with his body until the grenade detonated. The blast instantly killed both M/Sgt. Hosking and the Viet Cong. By absorbing the full force of the exploding grenade with his body and that of the enemy, he saved the other members of his command group from death or serious injury. M/Sgt. Hosking’s risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest tradition of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.