First Lt. Baldomero Lopez

During the Inchon invasion in Korea on September 15, 1950, Marine 1st Lieutenant Baldomero Lopez's platoon was engaging the enemy when fire from a pillbox pinned them down. Exposing himself to hostile fire, he attempted to hurl a grenade into the pillbox. Wounded, he fell and dropped the grenade. Dragging his body forward, critically wounded and unable to grasp the grenade, he sacrificed himself rather than endanger the lives of his men. With his wounded right arm, he cradled the grenade under him, absorbing the full impact of the explosion, and with courage and devotion to duty, he gave his life for his men and his country.

Tampa, Florida · United States