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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. |
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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. |
Lozada, Carlos James
