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Charles E., Jr. Hosking

U.S. Army

MASTER SERGEANT CHARLES E. HOSKING, JR., UNITED STATES ARMY, Detachment A-302, Company A, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, then sergeant first class, distinguished himself on 21 March 1967, serving as a company advisor in the Civilian Irregular Defense Group Reaction Battalion during combat operations in Phuoc Long Province, Republic of Vietnam. During combat operation in Don Luan District, a Viet Cong suspect was apprehended and subsequently identified as a Viet Cong sniper. While Sergeant First Class Hosking was preparing the enemy for movement back to the base camp, the prisoner suddenly grabbed a hand-grenade from Sergeant First Class Hosking 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, Sergeant First Class 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 Sergeant First Class 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. Sergeant First Class Hosking"s risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty were in the highest tradition of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.Sergeant First Class Hosking greatly distinguished himself while assigned to Operational Detachment A-302, serving as a company advisor with the III Corps Civilian Irregular Defense Group Reaction Battalion. During combat operation in Don Luan District, a Viet Cong suspect was apprehended and subsequently identified as a Viet Cong sniper. While Sergeant First Class Hosking was preparing the enemy for movement back to the base camp, the prisoner suddenly grabbed a hand-grenade from Sergeant First Class Hosking 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, Sergeant First Class 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 Sergeant First Class 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. Sergeant First Class Hosking"s risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty were 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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