- SURNAME
Hosking
- FORENAME
Charles Ernest,Jr
- UNIT
5 SF Group (Company A,Det A-302) (3 M.S.F.C.)
- RANK
Sergeant First Class
- NUMBER
32919642
- DATE OF DEATH
21st March 1967
- AGE
22
- GRAVESITE
Valleau Cemetery,Ridgewood,Bergen County,New Jersey
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Ramsey,New Jersey
born 12.5.1924 Ramsey,New Jersey
son of Charles Ernest and Luella B. (nee Bartholf) Hosking
single
graduated high school
sheet metal worker in civilian life
entered service June 1943 Fort Dix,New Jersey
basic training and AIT,Camp Shelby,Mississippi 1943-44
Airborne School,Fort Benning,Georgia (PFC) 1944
US Army Hospital Plant No. 4147,Italy + hospitals in US 1944-45
re-entered service 5.11.1945 Fort Benning,Georgia (PFC Air Corps)
Parachute School (HQ Company) 1945
1225 Service Complement Unit Reception Center,Fort Hancock,New Jersey (PFC) 1946
106 AAF Base unit (PFC) 1946
501 Parachute Infantry Regiment (Company A) 1946-47
Infantry School,Fort Benning,Georgia (Company B,HHC and Service Company,School Troops) 1948-49
187 Infantry Regiment (Airborne) (Company E) 1949-50
503 infantry Regiment (Airborne) (Company F) (Cpl) 1950-51
325 Infantry Regiment (Airborne)
19 SF Detachment
18 SF Group (Det B,HHC)
10 SF Group (Sgt) 1952-53
10 SF Group (7 Provisional Company) (Sgt) 1953-55
77 SF Group (Sgt) 1956-57
10 SF Group (Company A) (Sgt - SSG) 1957-63
5 SF Group (Company D) (SSG) 1963-64
5 SF Group (Company A) 1965-67
award Medal of Honor
promoted Master Sgt posthumously
KIA Phuoc Long Province,South Vietnam (BlackJack 32)
Vietnam Vet.Memorial,Washington,DC Panel 17E Line 5
DATE OF DEATH:
21-Mar-1967AWARD:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/hosking-charles-ernest-jr.30039/CITATION:
Medal of Honor : The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Sergeant Major [then Sergeant First Class] Charles Ernest Hosking, Jr. (ASN: 32919642), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Vietnam, on 21 March 1967. Master Sergeant Hosking, 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 Master Sergeant Hosking was preparing the enemy for movement back to the base camp, the prisoner suddenly grabbed a hand grenade from Master Sergeant Hosking's belt, armed the grenade, and started running towards the company command group which consisted of two Americans and two Vietnamese who were standing a few feet away. Instantly realizing that the enemy intended to kill the other men, Master Sergeant 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 Master Sergeant 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. Master Sergeant 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.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/396
Last edited by a moderator:
