Erasmo G. Lopez
Corporal, U.S. Army

Erasmo Lopez was a veteran of World War II.

In May 1951, Corporal Erasmo G. Lopez was serving with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 16 May, CPL Lopez's unit was engaged with enemy forces near Chik-tong, Korea. When Company E was attacked by a numerically superior enemy force, CPL Lopez, a machine gunner, remained in position and delivered heavy fire on the assaulting enemy troops, inflicting many casualties. Undaunted by the continuous enemy attacks, he remained in position sweeping the area clear of the enemy with his devastating machine gun fire. When his ammunition was gone, CPL Lopez held the hostile troops at bay with grenades and small-arms fire until more ammunition was brought to him. With ammunition, CPL Lopez again opened a deadly stream of fire on the enemy until the hostile troops, after suffering tremendous casualties, were repulsed. The extraordinary heroism displayed by CPL Lopez throughout this engagement was instrumental in the defeat of the enemy and earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Army Good Conduct Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Corporal Erasmo G. Lopez, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Corporal Lopez distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Chik-tong, Korea, on 16 May 1951. When his company was attacked by a numerically superior enemy force, Corporal Lopez, a machine gunner, remained in position and delivered withering fire on the assaulting enemy masses, inflicting many casualties. Undaunted by the continual enemy attacks, he steadfastly remained in position, continually sweeping the area clear of the enemy with his devastating machine gun fire. When his ammunition was expended, Corporal Lopez held the hostile troops off with grenades and small-arms fire until additional ammunition was brought forward to his position. Supplied with more ammunition, Corporal Lopez again opened a deadly stream of fire on the enemy, heedless of the small-arms fire and mortar bursts which were striking near his position, until the hostile troops, after suffering tremendous casualties, were repulsed. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Corporal Lopez throughout this engagement was instrumental in the defeat of the enemy and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military services.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 478 (June 29, 1951)

Death and Burial

Corporal Erasmo G. Lopez died on 12 July 2008. He is buried at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Bexar County, TX, in 35, 0, 686.

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