| Jose Mendoza Lopez | |
|---|---|
| Master Sergeant Jose M. Lopez, Medal of Honor |
|
| Born | July 10, 1910 Santiago Huitlan, Veracruz[1] |
| Died | May 16, 2005 (aged 94) San Antonio, Texas |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1942–1973 |
| Rank | Master Sergeant |
| Unit | 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 |
Jose Mendoza Lopez (July 10, 1910 – May 16, 2005) was a 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, killing at least 100 enemy troops.[2]
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Lopez was raised by his mother Candida Lopez in Santiago Ihuitlán, Oaxaca, Mexico. As a young boy he helped his mother sell clothes that she made as a seamstress in the city. However, his time with his mother was cut short due to tuberculosis which took her life when Lopez was only eight years old. Lopez then relocated to Brownsville, Texas to live with his uncle's family.
While living in with his uncle's family Lopez began working various jobs to bring in income and never returned to school. As a young man, Lopez caught the attention of a boxing promoter and for seven years he traveled the country fighting a total of 55 fights in the lightweight division with the nickname of 'Kid Mendoza'. In 1934, during a boxing match in Melbourne, Australia, he met a group of Merchant Marines and signed a contract with them. He was accepted in the union in 1936 and spent the next five years traveling the world.
He was en route to California from Hawaii on December 7, 1941, when he learned about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. When he arrived in Los Angeles, the authorities believed he was Japanese and he was forced to prove otherwise.
Lopez returned to Brownsville and, in 1942, married Emilia Herrera. That same year, he received his draft card and relocated to San Antonio where he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Lopez was first sent to Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and then to Camp Roberts, California, where he received his basic training.[3]
Lopez received an enthusiastic reception when his ship landed in New York City and he was greeted by New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia. On a visit to Mexico City, he was greeted by the president of Mexico, Manuel Ávila Camacho and awarded Mexico’s highest military commendation, la Condecoración del Mérito Militar.
He later moved his family to San Antonio, where he was hired as a contact representative with the Veterans Administration. Upon the outbreak of the Korean War, Lopez was accidentally ordered to serve for his country and without hesitation was prepared to do so, until President Harry S. Truman, heard of and corrected the matter so that Lopez could remain in the United States.[4]
Jose died one year after his wife; they were together for 62 years.
The city of Mission, Texas, Lopez' hometown, has recognized Sgt Lopez by naming a street and a city park — Jose M. Lopez Park — in his honor.[5]
The North East Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas, has recognized Sgt Lopez by naming a middle school in his honor, Jose M. Lopez Middle School.
A statue of Sgt. Lopez stands at Brownsville, Texas' Veterans Park.
Among Jose M. Lopez's decorations and medals were the following:
| Medal of Honor | Purple Heart | ||||
| American Campaign Medal | European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal | World War II Victory Medal | |||