|
Resolution
Supporting the Proposed Movie
“Above and Beyond” Which Depicts the WWII
exploits of Sargeant Jose M. Lopez
WHEREAS, Sergeant Jose M.
Lopez, born in June 1, 1912 in Mexico; on July
8, 1942 volunteered to serve with the U.S. Army
2nd Infantry Division; today at age
94, is the only WWII surviving Mexican-American
Recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor;
and
WHEREAS, Sgt.
Lopez participated on D-Day plus one at St.
Laurent-sur Mer in Normand, and whereas on
December 16, 1944, the German Army launched
their greatest counteroffensive of WWII against
American Divisions situated in the Ardennes
sector, an 88-mile front along eastern Belgium
and Luxembourg; however, very few people know
how close the Germans came to pushing the Allies
back into Normandy and into the sea; and
WHEREAS, in
Belgium, on the southern half of the U.S. First
Army sector, Lupe Naranjo of Agua Dulce, Texas;
Alan Diaz of Laredo, Texas; Agustin Lucio of San
Marcos, Texas; and Tom Castro of San Antonio,
Texas—all sergeants and squad leaders in the 23rd
Regiment of the 2nd Division---along
with Sgt. Jose M. Lopez of Brownsville, Texas
were stationed just south of the First Army
sector and also met head—on the fury of the
German thrust; and
WHEREAS, in the
breakthrough, a large force of Germans attacked
the sector near the towns of Rockeroth and
Krinklet, where the men of the 23rd
Regiment of the 2nd Division played a
very decisive part, as is revealed by the
exploits of Jose M. Lopez; and
WHEREAS, Sgt.
Jose M. Lopez gallantry and intrepidity on a
seemly suicidal mission in the area of Krinkelt,
Belgium on December 17, 1944; on his own
initiative, in order to protect Company K’ s
right flank, Sgt. Lopez is credited with killing
over 100 of the enemy; and
WHEREAS, Sgt. Lopez has the
distinction of having killed more than any other
American in the ETO or Pacific theatres in World
War II.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,
that the 2004 Annual National Convention of the
League of United Latin American Citizens,
convened in San Antonio, Texas, during the
period of July 6 through July 11, 2004 in San
Antonio, Texas during the period of July 6
through July 11, 2004 in San Antonio, Texas; go
on record as supporting the projected plans to
make the movie “Above and Beyond” based, but not
limited to Sgt. Jose M. Lopez’ life, and his
gallantry and intrepidity on a seemingly
suicidal mission; Sgt. Lopez was awarded our
country’s highest military decoration for
bravery, above and beyond the call of duty—the
Congressional Medal of Honor; and
FURTHERMORE, BE IT RESOLVED
that a copy of this resolution passed by the
2004 Annual National Convention of the League of
United Latin American Citizens be made part of
any effort being made to produce and/or make the
movie; “Above and Beyond”.
Submitted by Jose I. Lopez,
Delegate LULAC Council No. 4817.
Adopted this 10th day of July
2004.
Hector M. Flores
LULAC National President |
