Sgt jose lopez biography

José Mendoza López (July 10, 1910 – May 16, 2005) was a Mexican-born United States Army soldier who was awarded the United States' highest military decoration for valor in combat — the Medal of Honor — for his heroic actions during the Battle of the Bulge, in which he single-handedly repulsed a German infantry attack.
José M. López was one of nearly a half-million Latinos who served in the armed forces during World War II and one of thirteen to receive the Congressional.
Mexican-born Jose Lopez earned America's highest military honor for his heroic one- man stand during the Battle of the Bulge.

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Jose M. Lopez

Jose Mendoza Lopez was born on 10 July 1910 in Mexico and was raised in Vera Cruz by his mother. His father had died at sea while Jose was still in the womb, and by his 9th birthday his mother had died of tuberculosis, leaving him orphaned and alone. His relatives weren't able to take care of him, so he headed off on his own to try and find a better life in America. He snuck across the border and settled in the town of Mission, Texas, where a family was nice enough to give him some food and let him sleep out in their tool shed until he got his feet under him.

Nothing in life was easy for Jose. He had no worldly possessions to speak of, and worked subsistence jobs to try and keep his head above water and food on his table. Later he took to riding the rails of this country looking for opportunity and adventure. When he was 17, he found a little of both. He was just hanging out in Atlanta minding his own business when all of a sudden some big cro-magnon behemoth jackass started talking smack to him. Despite being only 5'

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23rd Infantry, 2nd Division of U.S. Army

Born: June 1, 1912 in Mission, Texas
Died: May 16, 2005 in San Antonio, Texas

Gallantry Beyond the Call of Duty
Sgt. Lopez is one of the earliest Hispanic Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. On December 17, 1944, he received the Medal of Honor near Krinkelt, Belgium. Although Sgt. Lopez grew up in Brownsville, Texas, he will always remain a son of Mission, Texas.

The city honored Sgt. Lopez by naming a city park in his honor, Jose M. Lopez Park, as well as a street. Sgt. Lopez serves a shining example of what a true American hero is.

Citation: “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 la

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José M. López

Mexican World War II Medal of Honor recipient

For the District of Columbia judge, see José M. López (judge).

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Mendoza and the second or maternal family name is López.

José Mendoza López
Master Sergeant José M. López, Medal of Honor
Born	(1910-07-10)July 10, 1910 Santiago Ihuitlán Plumas, Oaxaca^[1]
Died	May 16, 2005(2005-05-16) (aged 94) San Antonio, Texas
Place of burial	Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Army
Years of service	1942–1973
Rank	Master Sergeant
Unit	3rd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, U.S. 2nd Infantry Division
Battles / wars	World War II Battle of Normandy Battle of the Bulge Korean War
Awards	Medal of Honor Purple Heart

José Mendoza López (July 10, 1910 – May 16, 2005) was a Mexican-born United States Army soldier who was awarded the United States' highest military decoration for valor in combat — the Medal