For Conspicuous Gallantry: USMC Lt. Baldomero Lopez

Many have seen this photo, but few know what it represents. On September 15, 1950, First Lieutenant Baldomero Lopez, a U.S. Marine Corps officer, led the 3rd Platoon of Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, during the historic Inchon Invasion. As part of the second assault wave, Lopez and his men disembarked from an LCVP landing craft onto Red Beach's northern side. The Marines used wooden scaling ladders to climb over the seawall and initiate their assault against entrenched North Korean forces. Lt. Lopez, armed with an M-1 Carbine, directed his men as they advanced inland. The other Marines in his platoon carried M-1 Rifles and were outfitted with standard combat field gear of the time.

Within minutes of landing, while assaulting a heavily defended North Korean bunker, Lt. Lopez demonstrated exceptional bravery. Despite being hit by enemy fire and severely wounded, he pulled out a grenade to throw at the bunker. When the grenade slipped from his grasp, Lopez selflessly threw his body on top of it, sacrificing his life to save his fellow Marines. For this act of extraordinary heroism, Lt. Lopez was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His leadership and valor on the battlefield remain a lasting legacy of the courage shown during the Inchon landing.

MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION:

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a Marine platoon commander of Company A, in action against enemy aggressor forces. With his platoon 1st Lt. Lopez was engaged in the reduction of immediate enemy beach defenses after landing with the assault waves. Exposing himself to hostile fire, he moved forward alongside a bunker and prepared to throw a hand grenade into the next pillbox whose fire was pinning down that sector of the beach. Taken under fire by an enemy automatic weapon and hit in the right shoulder and chest as he lifted his arm to throw, he fell backward and dropped the deadly missile. After a moment, he turned and dragged his body forward in an effort to retrieve the grenade and throw it. In critical condition from pain and loss of blood, and unable to grasp the hand grenade firmly enough to hurl it, he chose to sacrifice himself rather than endanger the lives of his men and, with a sweeping motion of his wounded right arm, cradled the grenade under him and absorbed the full impact of the explosion. His exceptional courage, fortitude, and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon 1st Lt. Lopez and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."