QUANTICO, Va. — The Semper Fidelis Award has been changed to the Lopez Memorial Honor Graduate Award, and it’ll be awarded at a ceremony tonight at Quantico’s Little Hall.
The award is given to a member of each gradating company of The Basic School who demonstrates the highest potential for leadership..
More from a Quantico press release:
“Formerly known as the Semper Fidelis Award, the MCA&F recently changed the award’s name to honor the bravery of Medal of Honor recipient 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez during the Battle of Inchon in the Korean War over 60 years ago and to exemplify the courage and leadership traits expected of all lieutenants.”
Lopez was killed in action in 1950 at Inchon, South Korea after jumping on a live grenade in order to save the lives of his men. He was post-humorously awarded the Medal of Honor for his gallantry, according to the release.
Capt. John Stevens, now a 92-year-old retired Marine and Lopez’s commanding officer, will attend the ceremony at Little Hall which begins at 5 p.m.
