Quotations and Literature Forum

LOZADA, CARLOS JAMES

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 2d Battalion, 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. place and date: Dak To, Republic of Vietnam, 20 November 1967. Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Born: 6 September 1946, Caguas, Puerto Rico. 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 4-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 defined 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 3 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 4-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.

_________________
Regards,
Lou
I feel like a fugitive from th' law of averages.
— Bill Mauldin

Well, this is a fine post, to be sure; but, why is it on the "Feedback" fourm?

Back for an edit:
I suppose this is in honor of Memorial Day. At first, that fact went right over my head, but I think I get it now.
As long as we're on the subject, I wrote a poem that I dedicated to the memory of MITCHELL ALLEN WENTZ. Information about Mitchell can be found at
http://www.thevirtualwall.org/search/se ... lesearch=1

The Blood of Glory

The ambush happened like lightning from the night.
The flash from the gun barrels was blinding to the sight,
The explosions around and within were a terrible fright,
I saw friends and comrades come apart in the flash of light,
Even God could not have provided more fear with all His might.
I had moved forward into the jungle toward the oncoming threat,
As I cleared a hedgerow a sensation struck me, and suddenly I was wet
With a warm sticky substance that covered my chest,
I tried to move on but my legs would not obey,
I realized I was falling, my mind could not stop the way.
I could still fire my weapon, and I finished off the clip,
I reached down to reload, and there was nothing at my hip.
I looked down and realized that my legs were not there,
That was when I knew I was dying, and I became very scared.
Was I meant to die in the jungle, so far away from home?
I had started this trip with so many friends, and now felt all alone.
I thought, "Should I cry out, or should I just quietly slip away?"
Reflex took over, and I yelled "Help! Over here!", but had I made a sound?
The world was swimming and turning, and I sensed there was no one around.
As I realized that nothing was working, and all I could do was stare,
I saw our flag lying in front of me, and I thought "Old Glory is there,"
Lying on the ground, but it didn't seem right, to be out here where
It is blood-soaked with mine and others. "I hope there is someone that cares."
The jungle had become quiet, as I stared at the colors of my flag.
I heard someone say, "This ones gone, better get another body bag."
As he knelt down to touch me, and to close my staring eyes,
I heard him say, "Your unit was brave, but it couldn't match the size
Of the force that was against you, but you guys sure gave them a fight.
I salute you soldier, go to sleep now, and rest in peace tonight."
He picked up the flag that was near me, soaked with my blood and others,
And placed it over me, the Blood of Glory, and I went to join my brothers.
~written by Jon Houge, copyright 2001

p.s. MGM, sorry about posting this. Feel free to delete it. Possibly this thread should be moved to the "fluff" forum, since it has nothing really to do with "quotations."