The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure
in presenting the Medal of Honor to
HOSKING, CHARLES ERNEST, JR.
Rank and organization: Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company A, 5th Special Forces
Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Place and date: Phuoc Long Province,
Republic of Vietnam, 21 March 1967. Entered service at: Fort Dix, N.J. Born: 12
May 1924, Ramsey, N.J.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. M/Sgt. Hosking (then Sfc.), Detachment A-302,
Company A, greatly distinguished himself while serving as company advisor in the
III Corps Civilian Irregular Defense Group Reaction Battalion during combat
operations in Don Luan District. A Viet Cong suspect was apprehended and
subsequently identified as a Viet Cong sniper. While M/Sgt. Hosking was
preparing the enemy for movement back to the base camp, the prisoner suddenly
grabbed a hand grenade from M/Sgt. Hosking's belt, armed the grenade, and
started running towards the company command group which consisted of 2 Americans
and 2 Vietnamese who were standing a few feet away. Instantly realizing that the
enemy intended to kill the other men, M/Sgt. Hosking immediately leaped upon the
Viet Cong's back. With utter disregard for his personal safety, he grasped the
Viet Cong in a "Bear Hug" forcing the grenade against the enemy soldier's chest.
He then wrestled the Viet Cong to the ground and covered the enemy's body with
his body until the grenade detonated. The blast instantly killed both M/Sgt.
Hosking and the Viet Cong. By absorbing the full force of the exploding grenade
with his body and that of the enemy, he saved the other members of his command
group from death or serious injury. M/Sgt. Hosking's risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty are in the highest tradition of the U.S. Army and
reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
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My father was awarded the MOH posthumously in 1969. Not a Brazil, but had he
lived, would have had a great granddaughter with the Brazil name!
Janice Brazil