Master Sergeant Charles E. Hosking, Jr., of United States Army Detachment A-302, Company A, 5th Special Forces Group, Airborne, 1st Special Forces, received the United States Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. On March 21, 1967, in Phouoc Long Province, Republic of Vietnam, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Hosking wrestled a Viet Cong sniper with a fully armed hand grenade to the ground. The grenade blast killed both Sergeant Hosking and the sniper instantly. His action saved the lives of four members of the Company Command Group who were standing a few feet away. His ultimate sacrifice was in the highest tradition of the United States Army and reflected great credit and honor upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
