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First Name: Charles

Last Name: Hosking

Birthplace: Ramsey, NJ, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Home of Record: Fort Dix, NJ
Middle Name: Ernest



Date of Birth: 12 May 1924

Date of Death: 21 March 1967

Rank: Master Sergeant

Years Served: 1944 - 1967
Charles Ernest Hosking, Jr.
'Snake'

   
Engagements:
•  Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)

Biography:

Charles Ernest 'Snake' Hosking, Jr.
Master Sergeant, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Vietnam War

Master Sergeant Charles Ernest Hosking, Jr. (12 May 1924 - 21 March 1967) was a Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was posthumously awarded his Nation's highest military award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions in Phuoc Long Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 21 March 1967. The MOH was earned because of his self-sacrifice by holding a Viet Cong prisoner with a live grenade, thereby taking the brunt of the blast rather than allowing the prisoner to reach several of his commanders.

He was also posthumously promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company A, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces.

Place and date: Phuoc Long Province, Republic of Vietnam, 21 March 1967.

Entered service at: Fort Dix, NJ. Born: 12 May 1924, Ramsey, NJ.

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Master Sergeant Hosking (then Sergeant First Class), Detachment A-302, Company A, greatly distinguished himself while serving as company advisor in the III Corps Civilian Irregular Defense Group Reaction Battalion during combat operations in Don Luan District. A Viet Cong suspect was apprehended and subsequently identified as a Viet Cong sniper. While MSGT Hosking was preparing the enemy for movement back to the base camp, the prisoner suddenly grabbed a hand grenade from MSGT Hosking's belt, armed the grenade, and started running towards the company command group which consisted of 2 Americans and 2 Vietnamese who were standing a few feet away. Instantly realizing that the enemy intended to kill the other men, MSGT Hosking immediately leaped upon the Viet Cong's back. With utter disregard for his personal safety, he grasped the Viet Cong in a "Bear Hug" forcing the grenade against the enemy soldier's chest. He then wrestled the Viet Cong to the ground and covered the enemy's body with his body until the grenade detonated. The blast instantly killed both MSGT Hosking and the Viet Cong. By absorbing the full force of the exploding grenade with his body and that of the enemy, he saved the other members of his command group from death or serious injury. MSGT Hosking's risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest tradition of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

The name Charles Ernest Hosking, Jr. is inscribed on Panel 17E - Line 5.

Honors

Hosking Way, a road off of Darlington Avenue in Ramsey, NJ, is named in his honor.

Death and Burial

Master Sergeant Charles Ernest Hosking, Jr. was killed in action on 21 March 1967. He is buried at Valleau Cemetery in Ridgewood, Bergen County, NJ.



Honoree ID: 972   Created by: MHOH

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