Master Sergeant Hosking Medal of Honor
Master Sergeant Charles E. Hosking Jr. saw more than his share of war in both World War II and Vietnam before he was killed during an arms to arms combat while arresting a Viet Cong sniper in Vietnam.
The native of Bergen County, NJ first enlisted in the army in 1942 and served with the 82nd Airborne and the 509th parachute battalion during that War. At the end of the war, he was one of only 30 survivors of the 1500 in his battalion.
During that war, the soldier earned five combat stars, the Bronze Medal, three Presidential Unit citations, the Purple Heart and an award from the country of Belgium.
Born in Ramsey borough, Master Sergeant Hosking received another Bronze Star on one of his three tours in Vietnam, along with the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Medal, and another Presidential Unit citation as well as being recommended for the Silver Star.
But during his third Vietnam tour Master Sergeant Hosking was with Det.A-302, Company A, of the 5th Special Forces Group. The troops were in Don Luan District, Phuoc Long Province in Vietnam.
He was moving a captured Viet Cong sniper to the base camp when the sniper suddenly grabbed the sergeant’s hand grenade and attempted to set it off, killing all the men in the area. Master Sergeant Hosking immediately fell on top of the sniper who still held the grenade, forcing him to the ground. Using his own body to protect the rest of the men, he was killed instantly when the grenade exploded. It happened on March 21, 1967.
The soldier was brought back to the United States and was accorded full military honors. At the time of his funeral he was honored by a detachment of soldiers from Fort Bragg in attendance, together with his commanding officer, Capt. Frank Iobelli, who flew home from Saigon for the service. The town’s Mayor ordered the town in a state of mourning and at the time of his funeral, a moment of silence in his honor.
Promoted to Master Sergeant at the time of his death, the military hero was survived by his grandmother in Mahwah and his mother in Ramsey, together with his wife Gloria, three daughters and a son, ranging in age from 6 to 17, all living in Illinois. His wife Gloria was present in Washington D.C. to accept her husband’s Medal of Honor at the White House from President Richard Nixon on May 23, 1969.
Master Sgt. Charles Hosking is buried in Valleau Cemetery in Ridgewood, NJ.
CITATION
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Master Sergeant Hosking (then Sfc.), Detachment A-302, Company A, greatly distinguished himself while serving as company adviser 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 severe injury. Master Sergeant Hosking’s risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
Read more stories of Heroes from New Jersey that have been awarded the Medal of Honor HERE
