Medal of Honor: Jose M. Lopez – World War II – December 17, 1944

Name: Jose M. Lopez
Rank: Sergeant
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division
Place and Date: Near Krinkelt, Belgium – 17 December 1944
Entered Service At: Brownsville, Texas
Born: Mission, Texas
Departed: Survived
Accredited To: Texas

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Summary of Action

On December 17, 1944, near Krinkelt, Belgium, Sergeant Jose M. Lopez was serving as a machine gunner with the 23d Infantry during the opening days of the German Ardennes counteroffensive. As enemy infantry supported by tanks threatened to overrun Company K’s right flank, Lopez acted on his own initiative.

Carrying his heavy machine gun across open ground, he repositioned it to protect the endangered flank. From a shallow hole that offered no protection above the waist, he opened fire and cut down ten advancing Germans. Ignoring fire from an approaching tank, he remained in place and killed twenty-five more enemy infantrymen attempting to turn the flank.

Moments later, Lopez saw large numbers of enemy infantry advancing from the front. Though stunned by nearby artillery explosions, he realized his position was about to be enveloped. Again acting alone, he lifted his machine gun and moved it to a new position to the right rear as Company K was forced to withdraw.

Blown backward by the concussion of enemy fire, Lopez immediately reset his weapon and continued firing. Single-handedly, he held off the advancing German force until he was certain his company had completed its withdrawal. He then hoisted his gun onto his back and, under intense small-arms fire, ran to another position where a handful of comrades were attempting to establish a new defensive line.

From this final position, Lopez fired until his ammunition was exhausted. Still carrying his machine gun, he withdrew with the remnants of his unit to Krinkelt. His repeated, solitary stands against overwhelming forces killed at least 100 enemy soldiers and were decisive in preventing Company K from being enveloped, buying the time necessary for supporting forces to establish a defensive line that ultimately repelled the German attack.

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Medal of Honor 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.