thedrifter
01-02-06, 08:40 AM
Ship Named For Tampa War Hero Visits
By JULIE PACE jpace@tampatrib.com
Published: Jan 2, 2006
TAMPA - Signs of Lt. Baldomero Lopez's legacy are easy to spot throughout the Bay area.
An elementary school is named in honor of the Korean War veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, as well as a veterans nursing home.
In 1985, the Navy named a military cargo ship after the Tampa native, who died while fighting in Korea. On Sunday, the ship docked in Lopez's hometown for the first time.
About 50 people, including several of Lopez's family members and fellow Korean War veterans, waited patiently at the Port of Tampa on Sunday for the ship. A dense fog delayed the ship's arrival about an hour.
When the ship finally pulled into the port, the crowd gasped at the sight of the 673-foot cargo ship. Emblazoned on both ends was Lopez's name.
Lopez, who grew up in Ybor City and graduated from Hillsborough High, joined the Marines when he was 17. He was leading a platoon onto the beach at Inchon in September 1950 when it came under fire.
Lopez, 25, was hit in the right arm and shoulder, causing him to drop a live grenade he was preparing to throw at the enemy. He threw himself on top of the grenade to protect his troops and was killed when it exploded.
Among the crowd gathered Sunday were members of the Tampa chapter of the Korean Veterans Association, which also is named for Lopez. Most of the 45 members never knew Lopez, but all respect his sacrifice.
"It makes tears in your eyes when you hear a name of someone who saved his men," Korean War veteran Edward Ko, 71, said.
Among the last to arrive Sunday was Joe Lopez, the lieutenant's brother, who traveled from Jacksonville to see the ship. More than 50 years after his brother's death, his pain is still fresh.
"I still feel it," he said as his eyes filled with tears. "It's a part of me."
The ship usually is based in the Indian Ocean, where it has delivered cargo for Operation Iraqi Freedom and taken tsunami relief supplies to Southeast Asia. Its primary mission is to preposition Marine combat gear.
The ship's association with the Marines was one of the reasons the Navy chose to name the vessel after Lopez, Navy spokeswoman Katie Dunnigan said.
The MV 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez is docked in Tampa for routine maintenance and will be stationed in the port about a month.
Ellie
By JULIE PACE jpace@tampatrib.com
Published: Jan 2, 2006
TAMPA - Signs of Lt. Baldomero Lopez's legacy are easy to spot throughout the Bay area.
An elementary school is named in honor of the Korean War veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, as well as a veterans nursing home.
In 1985, the Navy named a military cargo ship after the Tampa native, who died while fighting in Korea. On Sunday, the ship docked in Lopez's hometown for the first time.
About 50 people, including several of Lopez's family members and fellow Korean War veterans, waited patiently at the Port of Tampa on Sunday for the ship. A dense fog delayed the ship's arrival about an hour.
When the ship finally pulled into the port, the crowd gasped at the sight of the 673-foot cargo ship. Emblazoned on both ends was Lopez's name.
Lopez, who grew up in Ybor City and graduated from Hillsborough High, joined the Marines when he was 17. He was leading a platoon onto the beach at Inchon in September 1950 when it came under fire.
Lopez, 25, was hit in the right arm and shoulder, causing him to drop a live grenade he was preparing to throw at the enemy. He threw himself on top of the grenade to protect his troops and was killed when it exploded.
Among the crowd gathered Sunday were members of the Tampa chapter of the Korean Veterans Association, which also is named for Lopez. Most of the 45 members never knew Lopez, but all respect his sacrifice.
"It makes tears in your eyes when you hear a name of someone who saved his men," Korean War veteran Edward Ko, 71, said.
Among the last to arrive Sunday was Joe Lopez, the lieutenant's brother, who traveled from Jacksonville to see the ship. More than 50 years after his brother's death, his pain is still fresh.
"I still feel it," he said as his eyes filled with tears. "It's a part of me."
The ship usually is based in the Indian Ocean, where it has delivered cargo for Operation Iraqi Freedom and taken tsunami relief supplies to Southeast Asia. Its primary mission is to preposition Marine combat gear.
The ship's association with the Marines was one of the reasons the Navy chose to name the vessel after Lopez, Navy spokeswoman Katie Dunnigan said.
The MV 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez is docked in Tampa for routine maintenance and will be stationed in the port about a month.
Ellie