John Edward Lopez, Jr.
Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army

On 7 October 1969, Sergeant First Class John Edward Lopez, Jr. was serving with Detachment A-242 (Dak Pek), Company B, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in South Vietnam.

On that day, SFC Lopez was a Special Forces advisor with a Vietnamese company search and clear mission near Camp Dak Pek. A platoon of his company had been fired upon and pinned down by a well-entrenched and concealed enemy force. SFC Lopez and a fellow advisor formed a reaction force in an attempt to rescue the trapped platoon. As the reaction force began to maneuver on the enemy, it was caught in an enemy crossfire, and SFC Lopez's fellow advisor was mortally wounded. Faced with enemy fire on 3 sides, SFC Lopez formed a defensive perimeter. Moving outside the perimeter, SFC Lopez exposed himself to enemy fire in order to recover the body of the other advisor. He then directed and adjusted artillery fire and air strikes on the enemy positions. While carrying the body of his companion, SFC Lopez led his unit through the 3-sided crossfire, but found his route of withdrawal blocked by another enemy company. SFC Lopez then directed artillery and gunship fire against the enemy positions until he was able to lead his unit safely through the enemy encirclement. SFC Lopez's courageous actions and extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Two days later, on 9 October 1969, SFC Lopez died when the aircraft in which he was a passenger was shot down by hostile forces and crashed.

Medals, Awards, Badges & Tabs

Distinguished Service Cross
Soldier's Medal
Bronze Star Medal (Merit) with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal with 3 Bronze Knots
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Parachutist Badge
Special Forces Tab

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to John Edward Lopez, Jr. (554-54-7041), Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Detachment A-242, Company B, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Sergeant First Class Lopez distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 October 1969 while serving as a Special Forces advisor with a Vietnamese company search and clear mission near Camp Dak Pek. A platoon of his company had been fired upon and pinned down by a well entrenched and concealed enemy force. Sergeant Lopez and a fellow advisor immediately formed a reaction force in an attempt to rescue the trapped platoon. The reaction force no sooner began to maneuver on the enemy when it was caught in an enemy crossfire, and Sergeant Lopez's fellow advisor was mortally wounded. Faced with enemy fire on three sides, Sergeant Lopez quickly formed a defensive perimeter. Moving outside the perimeter, Sergeant Lopez exposed himself to enemy fire in order to recover the body of the other advisor. He then directed and adjusted artillery fire and air strikes on the enemy positions. Personally carrying the body of his companion, Sergeant Lopez led his unit through the three-sided crossfire, but found his route of withdrawal blocked by another enemy company. Sergeant Lopez then directed artillery and gunship fire against the enemy positions until he was able to lead his unit safely through the enemy encirclement. Sergeant First Class Lopez's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Headquarters, US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1692 (June 8, 1970)

Honors

The name John E Lopez Jr is located on Panel 17W Line 57 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Sergeant First Class John Edward Lopez, Jr. is buried at Skylawn Memorial Park in San Mateo, San Mateo County, CA, in Sunset Circle, Lot 6.