Edward Gómez
Edward Gomez | |
---|---|
1st Marine Division | |
Battles/wars | Korean War |
Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart (x2) |
Early years
Gomez, a
Medal of Honor citation
The
The Congresstakes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously toPRIVATE FIRST CLASS EDWARD GOMEZ
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVEfor service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an Ammunition Bearer in Company E, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on September 14, 1951. Boldly advancing with his squad in support of a group of riflemen assaulting a series of strongly fortified and bitterly defended hostile positions on Hill 749, Private First Class Gómez consistently exposed himself to the withering barrage to keep his machine gun supplied with ammunition during the drive forward to seize the objective. As his squad deployed to meet an imminent counterattack, he voluntarily moved down an abandoned trench to search for a new location for the gun and, when a hostile grenade landed between himself and his weapon, shouted a warning to those around him as he grasped the activated charge in his hand. Determined to save his comrades, he unhesitatingly chose to sacrifice himself and, diving into the ditch with the deadly missile, absorbed the shattering violence of the explosion in his own body. By his stouthearted courage, incomparable valor and decisive spirit of self-sacrifice, Private First Class Gómez inspired the others to heroic efforts in subsequently repelling the outnumbering foe, and his valiant conduct throughout sustained and enhanced the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Awards and decorations
The United States' highest decoration for valor was awarded to Gomez for extraordinary heroism on September 14, 1951, at Kajon-ni, during the
Medal of Honor | ||
Purple Heart with gold star | Korean Service Medal with one bronze star | United Nations Service Medal
|
Recognitions
Ed "Babe" Gomez Elementary School was named in his honor. It is located at 5101 S 17th St, Omaha, NE 68107. He also has an Avenue named after him on which several businesses are located and Metropolitan Community College South Campus.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Korean War Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients
- Hispanics in the United States Marine Corps
References
- This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
- "Private First Class Edward Gomez, USMCR". Who's Who in Marine Corps History, USMC. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
- "Medal of Honor citation". Archived from the original on July 14, 2007. Retrieved September 29, 2010.