VETERAN OF THE DAY
(KOREAN WAR)
Baldomero Lopez
U.S. MARINE CORPS | FIRST LIEUTENANT
August 23, 1925 – September 15, 1950
MEDAL OF HONOR | KILLED IN ACTION | KOREAN WAR
BASIC INFORMATION
Name: Baldomero Lopez
Rank: First Lieutenant (1stLt)
Branch: United States Marine Corps
Unit: Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced)
Action Place: Inchon, Korea
Date of Death: September 15, 1950 (KIA)
Highest Award: Medal of Honor (Posthumous)
HONORING HIS SERVICE
On September 15, 1950, during the landing at Inchon, First Lieutenant Baldomero Lopez led Marines forward under heavy enemy fire. When a grenade fell among his men, he moved to protect them, sacrificing his life in an act of extraordinary valor.
For his heroism, 1stLt Lopez was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, recognized as courage at the very highest level: leadership from the front, and love for his Marines that outweighed his own life.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a rifle 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.
IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS
A combat officer’s job is to point the way and then go first. At Inchon, 1stLt Lopez did exactly that. Today, we don’t just remember a battlefield moment; we remember the kind of leader who turns fear into forward motion.
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The Micky Spano Show and mickyspano.com/ honor a Veteran of the Day, every day, because remembrance is not optional.
Today, we honor 1stLt Baldomero Lopez, USMC, a Korean War hero who gave his life at Inchon on September 15, 1950, and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his sacrifice.
If you have a photo, a family remembrance, or historical material to add to this tribute, please reach out so his story continues to be told.
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