..Puerto
Rican.....
Hero
Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Pfc. Carlos James Lozada
U.S. Army, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 503d Infantry
173d Airborne Brigade
Place & date : Dak To, Republic of Vietnam, 20
November 1967
Entered service at : New York, N.Y. Born : Caguas,
Puerto Rico
Citation: For Conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty. Pfc. Lozada, U.S. Army, distinguished himself at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty in the battle of Dak to.
While serving as a machine gunner with 1st Platoon, Company A. Pfc. Lozada
was part of a 4 man early warning outpost, located 35 meters from his company's
lines. At 1400 hours a North Vietnamese Army company rapidly approached
the outpost along a well defined trail. Pfc. Lozada alerted his comrades
and commenced firing at the enemy who were within 10 meters of the outpost.
His heavy and accurate machine-gun fire killed at least 20 North Vietnamese
soldiers and completely disrupted their initial attack. Pfc. Lozada remained
in an exposed position and continued to pour deadly fire upon the enemy
despite the urgent pleas of his comrades to withdraw. The enemy continued
their assault, attempting to envelop the outpost. At the same time enemy
forces launched a heavy attack on the forward west flank of Company A with
the intent to cut them off from their battalion. Company A was given the
order to withdraw. Pfc. Lozada apparently realized that if he abandoned
his position there would be nothing to hold back the surging North Vietnamese
soldiers and that the entire company withdrawal would be jeopardized. He
called for his comrades to move back and that he would stay and provide
cover for them. He made this decision realizing that the enemy was converging
on 3 sides of his position and only meters away, and a delay in withdrawal
meant almost certain death. Pfc. Lozada continued to deliver a heavy, accurate
volume of suppressive fire against the enemy until he was mortally wounded
and had to be carried during the withdrawal. His heroic deed served as
an example and an inspiration to his comrades throughout the ensuing 4
day battle. Pfc. Lozada's actions are in the highest traditions of the
U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S.
Army.