Carlos James Lozada (September 6, 1946 – November 20, 1967) was a member of the United States Army who was one of five Puerto Ricans who received the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War.
Early years Lozada was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico. He graduated from high school in 1966 and soon married. Lozada then joined the United States Army.Puerto Rico Herald
Vietnam War The United States at that time was involved in the Vietnam War and on June 11, 1967, Lozada was sent to Vietnam and assigned to Co. A, 2nd Battalion, 503 Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade.
Lozada's unit was heavily engaged during the Battle of Dak To. On November 20, 1967, PFC Lozada spotted a North Vietnamese Army company rapidly approaching his outpost. He alerted his comrades and opened fire with a machine gun, killing at least twenty of the enemy soldiers and disrupting their initial attack. He realized that if he abandoned his position there would be nothing to hold back the surging North Vietnamese soldiers and his entire company withdrawal would be jeopardized – as a result he told his comrades to move to the back and that he would supply cover for them. He continued to deliver a heavy and accurate volume of suppressive fire against the enemy until he was mortally wounded and had to be carried during the withdrawal.
Lozada was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in December 1969.
Medal of Honor citation
BadgeCombat Infantryman Badge1st RowMedal of HonorPurple HeartArmy Good Conduct Medal2nd RowNational Defense Service MedalVietnam Service Medal with one bronze service starVietnam Campaign Medal Badge Parachutist Badge Unit awards Army Presidential Unit CitationValorous Unit Award
Honors He was buried with full military honors at Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, NY, in Section T, Site 2295. The Bronx honored him by naming a playground in his honor located behind 175 Willis Ave. A fitness center at Fort Campbell was named in his honor. On 11 November 2008, the Government of Puerto Rico unveiled in the Capitol Rotunda the oil portrait of PFC Carlos James Lozada.
See also
List of Puerto Ricans List of Puerto Rican military personnel Puerto Rican recipients of the Medal of Honor List of Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War
References
Further reading Puertorriquenos Who Served With Guts, Glory, and Honor. Fighting to Defend a Nation Not Completely Their Own; by : Greg Boudonck;
External links