Carlos James Lozada

Carlos James Lozada gave his life covering his company's withdrawal at Hill 875 during the Battle of Dak To, earning a posthumous Medal of Honor for extraordinary courage in the Vietnam War.

On 20 November 1967, at Hill 875, the private first class served as a machine gunner in Company A, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade.

Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, on 6 September 1946, Lozada was accredited to New York. He enlisted on 15 August 1966 and began his Vietnam tour on 11 June 1967. From an early-warning outpost ahead of the company, he alerted his comrades to approaching enemy troops and broke up their first attack. When Company A was ordered to withdraw, he remained at his gun so others could move back, continuing until he was mortally wounded.

Official Medal of Honor 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 four-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-defended 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 three 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 four-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.”

Lozada died that day and was buried in Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, New York, Section T, grave 2295. Vice President Spiro T. Agnew presented his medal to his family on 18 November 1969. His citation records the covering fire that protected the withdrawal.