LOZADA, CARLOS JAMES

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade

Place: Dak To, Republic of Vietnam

Date: 20 November 1967

Entered service at: New York, New York

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. 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.

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--- General / Personal ---

Last name: LOZADA
First name: CARLOS JAMES
Home of Record (official): NEW YORK
State (official): NY
Date of Birth: Friday, September 6, 1946
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Married

--- Military ---

Branch: Army
Rank: PFC
Serial Number: 51611285
Component: Selective Service
Pay grade: E3
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): Unknown/Not reported

--- Action ---

Start of Tour: Sunday, June 11, 1967
Date of Casualty: Monday, November 20, 1967
Age at time of loss: 21
Casualty type: (A3) Hostile, died while missing
Reason: Multiple fragmentation wounds (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Kontum
The Wall: Panel 30E - Row 045

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