Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Colonel

Unit:

Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

1944

Awarded for:

Operation Neptune

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in combat during the period 6 June 1944 to 7 July 1944, while commanding a battalion of a parachute infantry regiment. One instance of particular note was on 20 June 1944, near Pretot, France, when Lieutenant Colonel Mendez personally led an assault on the town of Pretot through a withering concentration of observed mortar, timed artillery and machine gun cross-fire. In their first attempt to win their objective, the two assault companies were pinned to the ground by a devastating artillery barrage and suffered heavy casualties. Appreciating the danger of delay, Lieutenant Colonel Mendez crawled to a position in front of his men, leaped to his feet and led the charge which drove the enemy out of the town. By his calm disregard for personal danger and his ability to act quickly and aggressively under fire, he turned imminent catastrophe into a victory. Lieutenant Colonel Mendez's courage, calmness, judgment and devotion to duty were directly responsible for the achievement of his battalion's objective and were in keeping with the highest traditions of our armed forces."

Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 79 (1944).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Colonel

Unit:

Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

February 17th, 1945

Awarded for:

Operation Market Garden

Louis G. MENDEZ, Jr., O-23262, Lieutenant Colonel, 508th Parachute Infantry. For Meritorious service in connection with military operations against the enemy for the period 17 September 1944 to 1 October 1944 near ***, Holland. Lieutenant Colonel Mendez was Battalion Commander of the Third Battalion during the action south of ***, Holland. The Third Battalion successfully seized and held, in spite of fanatical German opposition, the key ground in the *** area. The successful defense of this sector was characterized by several bloody counterattacks which elements of Lieutenant Colonel Mendez' battalion had to make to regain lost ground. Subsequently, the battalion seized the flat ground between *** and *** in Germany after some of the bloodiest fighting of the entire campaign. In spite of heavy losses sustained by his battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Mendez maintained the esprit de corps in his unit at a high level and his battalion was capable of sustaining the action although considerably understrength. The entire record of the Third Battalion in battle and its high degree of combat efficiency in the Holland Campaign was directly due to the ceaseless efforts and dynamic leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Mendez, which reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the Airborne Forces of the United States Army, Entered military service from Colorado.

Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division, General Orders No. 18 (17 February 1945).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Colonel

Unit:

Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

May 22nd, 1945

Louis G. Mendez, Jr., O-23262, Lieutenant Colonel, 508th Parachute Infantry. For meritorious service in connection with military operations against the enemy for the period 7 and 8 January 1945 near ***, *** and ***, Belgium. Lieutenant Colonel Mendez, Commending Officer, Third Battalion, executed with success an attack on ***, Belgium, during the final phases of the attack in the ***, ***, and *** area under extreme conditions of winter fighting. The Regimental attack in columns of Battalions, Third Battalion leading was pressed through snow in extreme cold weather across an area which was under direct enemy observation and fire, but Lieutenant Colonel Mendez’ unyielding determination and rapid readjustment of his force to meet the situation led them to rapid seizure of the objective. During the attack the Battalion captured or destroyed nine artillery pieces, two Mark IV tanks, and seven miscellaneous vehicles. The success achieved was in great measure due to Lieutenant Colonel Mendez’ sound and inspiring leadership. Entered military service from Trinidad, Colorado.

This award was obtained in the form of an Oak Leaf to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.
Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division, General Orders No. 73 (22 May 1945).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Colonel

Unit:

Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

October 8th, 1945

Royal Decree No.31, dated October 8th, 1945.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1945

Awarded with bronze palme.
General Orders No. 73, Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division (1945).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Vietnam War (1955-1975)

Rank:

Colonel

Awarded on:

October 26th, 1967

"For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from April 1963 to August 1967."

Department of the Army, General Orders No. 46

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)