Tampa in Hillsborough County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Lt. Baldomero Lopez
Born in Tampa, Florida August 23, 1925
Died in Inchon Korea September 15, 1950
— Hillsborough County Veterans Memorial Park —
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, March 7, 2022
1. Lt. Baldomero Lopez Marker
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a Marine platoon commander of Company A, in action against enemy aggressor forces. With his platoon Ist Lt. Lopez was engaged in the reduction of immediate enemy beach defenses after landing with the assault waves. Exposing himself to hostile fire, he moved forward alongside a bunker and prepared to throw a hand grenade into the next pillbox whose fire was pinning down that sector of the beach. Taken under fire by an enemy automatic weapon and hit in the right shoulder and chest as he lifted his arm to throw, he fell backward and dropped the deadly missile. After a moment, he turned and dragged his body forward in an effort to retrieve the grenade and throw it. In critical condition from pain and loss of blood, and unable to grasp the hand grenade firmly enough to hurl it he chose to sacrifice himself rather than endanger the lives of his men and, with a sweeping motion of his wounded right arm, cradled the grenade under him and absorbed the full impact of the explosion. His exceptional courage, fortitude, and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Ist Lt. Lopez and the US Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Signed by President Harry S. Truman
this page online
Erected by Hillsborough County.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, Korean. A significant historical date for this entry is September 15, 1950.
Location. 27° 58.561′ N, 82° 21.768′ W. Marker is in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County. Memorial can be reached from U.S. 301, 0.2 miles south of East Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, on the right when traveling south. Marker located within Hillsborough County Veterans Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3602 N US Highway 301, Tampa FL 33619, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Green Beach Point of Incheon Landing Operation (here, next to this marker); Douglas MacArthur (a few steps from this marker); Korean Mother (a few steps from this marker); Army Otter - Caribou Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Richard “Dick” Arens, Major USAF (Ret) (a few steps from this marker); American Soldier (a few steps from this marker); Hillsborough County Vietnam Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); K-9 Corps/K-9 Handlers (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.
Also see . . . 1st Lt. Boldomero Lopez. (Submitted on March 24, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, March 7, 2022
2. Lt. Baldomero Lopez Marker
Photographed By U.S. Naval Academy
3. Marine First Lieutenant Baldomero Lopez
Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 113 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 24, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
