WORLD WAR II
MEMORIAL PAGE
This page is dedicated to the memory of my father, Alex Lopez. He served in the US Army from February 26, 1943 to January 10, 1946.
...to his four brothers who also served in WWII.
...and to my grandmother, a Five Blue Star Mother.
"So hard to fully appreciate the difficulty and hardships that you endured during the War......and, afterward, how you went about your business with so little discussion or reflection on that time of your life. Truly amazing!"
Tony Lopez
Vise, Belgium - 1944
|
Corporal Alex Lopez
|
Somewhere in France - 1944
|
2nd Army
|
4th Army
|
3rd Army
|
7th Army
|
9th Army
|
Alex's Story
Dad was born and raised in Trinidad, Colorado. He graduated from high school in June 1942 and joined the Army in February 1943.
Basic and advanced training was completed at Camp McCain, Mississippi in September 1943 (2nd Army). His MOS was (533) Demolitions Specialist although he was trained in many of the bridge building and weapons skills. An intensive training period (ITP) then began and included manuevers in Louisiana. After ITP training in June 1944, the battalion was moved to Camp Miles Standish in Massachusetts (4th Army). Then they shipped from Boston Harbor to England and on to Utah Beach in France in July 1944.
The 167th CBE served throughout France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg and Germany. Their responsibilities included building and destroying bridges, repairing roads, demolition and minesweeping duties as well as various combat roles. The battalion was deemed a "bastard" battalion because they never stayed with one command very long. They served with the 4th, 3rd, 7th and 9th Armies in England and Europe. They are credited with building the longest Baily bridge across the Rhine River in Germany. Much of the bridge building was done under enemy fire and on one occasion, Alex and his best friend were blown off a bridge and into the Moselle River in France. Fortunately, both survived the icy waters and received only minor wounds.from flying debris.
During the Battle of The Bulge, the Battalion was transferred from the 3rd Army to the 7th Army and fought alongside the 1st French Army in clearing the Colmar pocket around Gambsheim. When the war ended, the 167th CBE was 40 miles from Berlin.
As the war in Europe came to an end, the Battalion began preparations for the Pacific Theatre. The events that occured in Japan during August eliminated the need for those preparations. Instead, the Battalion was converted to 3 forestry companies and they began logging operations for the rebuilding of Europe (9th Army).
During his 18 months in combat, Alex had 4 brothers serving. Three of them, also in combat roles, in the Pacific Theatre. Two brothers were in the Army and one brother in the Navy. The fourth brother was in the Navy serving Stateside.
For his service, Dad was awarded the American Service Medal, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal and received battle stars for each of the following campaigns: Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. In addiitiion, the Battalion received numerous unit citations and foreign service awards.
He was discharged from the Army in January 1946 and went on to have a very fruitful and peaceful life. Alex passed away in April 1993.
Basic and advanced training was completed at Camp McCain, Mississippi in September 1943 (2nd Army). His MOS was (533) Demolitions Specialist although he was trained in many of the bridge building and weapons skills. An intensive training period (ITP) then began and included manuevers in Louisiana. After ITP training in June 1944, the battalion was moved to Camp Miles Standish in Massachusetts (4th Army). Then they shipped from Boston Harbor to England and on to Utah Beach in France in July 1944.
The 167th CBE served throughout France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg and Germany. Their responsibilities included building and destroying bridges, repairing roads, demolition and minesweeping duties as well as various combat roles. The battalion was deemed a "bastard" battalion because they never stayed with one command very long. They served with the 4th, 3rd, 7th and 9th Armies in England and Europe. They are credited with building the longest Baily bridge across the Rhine River in Germany. Much of the bridge building was done under enemy fire and on one occasion, Alex and his best friend were blown off a bridge and into the Moselle River in France. Fortunately, both survived the icy waters and received only minor wounds.from flying debris.
During the Battle of The Bulge, the Battalion was transferred from the 3rd Army to the 7th Army and fought alongside the 1st French Army in clearing the Colmar pocket around Gambsheim. When the war ended, the 167th CBE was 40 miles from Berlin.
As the war in Europe came to an end, the Battalion began preparations for the Pacific Theatre. The events that occured in Japan during August eliminated the need for those preparations. Instead, the Battalion was converted to 3 forestry companies and they began logging operations for the rebuilding of Europe (9th Army).
During his 18 months in combat, Alex had 4 brothers serving. Three of them, also in combat roles, in the Pacific Theatre. Two brothers were in the Army and one brother in the Navy. The fourth brother was in the Navy serving Stateside.
For his service, Dad was awarded the American Service Medal, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal and received battle stars for each of the following campaigns: Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. In addiitiion, the Battalion received numerous unit citations and foreign service awards.
He was discharged from the Army in January 1946 and went on to have a very fruitful and peaceful life. Alex passed away in April 1993.
Good Conduct
|
Europe,Africa,ME
|
American Campaign
|
WWII Victory
|
Army Occupation
|
A Five Blue Star Mother
Carmelita Lopez
|
|
THE BROTHERS
Chris Lopez
US ARMY, Staff Sergeant
Entered the Army in May, 1943; trained in Ft. Bliss, Texas
Served in the Pacific Theatre in the Solomons, Guadalcanal and Luzon
Awarded the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with
one battle star, Good Conduct and Victory Medals
Discharged in November, 1945
Entered the Army in May, 1943; trained in Ft. Bliss, Texas
Served in the Pacific Theatre in the Solomons, Guadalcanal and Luzon
Awarded the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with
one battle star, Good Conduct and Victory Medals
Discharged in November, 1945
|
Chris Lopez - 1978
|
Ben Lopez
US Navy,
Entered the Navy in ?
Served in Norfolk, Virginia - Norfolk Naval Yard
Awarded the American Theatre Ribbon, ?
Discharged in ?
Entered the Navy in ?
Served in Norfolk, Virginia - Norfolk Naval Yard
Awarded the American Theatre Ribbon, ?
Discharged in ?
Ben Lopez - 1990?
Bernie Lopez
US Navy, Cook, 2nd Class
Entered the Navy in August 1942; trained in San Diego, California
Served throughout the Pacific Theatre
Awarded the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with seven battle stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one battle star, American Theatre Ribbon and the Good Conduct and Victory Medals
Discharged in November 1945
Entered the Navy in August 1942; trained in San Diego, California
Served throughout the Pacific Theatre
Awarded the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with seven battle stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one battle star, American Theatre Ribbon and the Good Conduct and Victory Medals
Discharged in November 1945
Bernie Lopez - 1985?
Eugene Lopez
US ARMY, Sergeant
Entered the Army in May, 1943, trained in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri and Camp Abbott, Oregon
Served in the Pacific Theatre in Ryukyus
Awarded the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon, American Theatre Ribbon and Good Conduct and Victory Medals
Discharged in April, 1946
Entered the Army in May, 1943, trained in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri and Camp Abbott, Oregon
Served in the Pacific Theatre in Ryukyus
Awarded the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon, American Theatre Ribbon and Good Conduct and Victory Medals
Discharged in April, 1946
|
Eugene Lopez - 1981
|
The Men and Women in WWII from Las Animas County, Colorado
After WWII, the Las Animas County local government decided to honor their returning veterans by publishing a book. The book contains a picture and a brief narrative of what each service member did during the war.
Family members were asked to submit the veteran's information to the County so the information could be included in the publication. Not all the information was submitted however and the book, although quite comprehensive, does not include all the individuals who served from the County.
Four of the five Lopez brothers are included in the book; Alex, Bernie, Chris and Eugene. Ben's information was not included.
Several of the Lopez 1st and 2nd cousins are included in the book but are not pictured in this Tribute Page.
Family members were asked to submit the veteran's information to the County so the information could be included in the publication. Not all the information was submitted however and the book, although quite comprehensive, does not include all the individuals who served from the County.
Four of the five Lopez brothers are included in the book; Alex, Bernie, Chris and Eugene. Ben's information was not included.
Several of the Lopez 1st and 2nd cousins are included in the book but are not pictured in this Tribute Page.