José Mendoza López (July 10, 1910 – May 16, 2005) was a Mexican-born United States Army soldier who was awarded the United States' highest military decoration for valor in combat — the Medal of Honor — for his heroic actions during the Battle of the Bulge,[2] in which he single-handedly repulsed a German infantry attack, killing at least 100 enemy troops.

In 1934, during a boxing match in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, he met a group of Merchant Marines and signed a contract with them.

López was first sent to Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and then to Camp Roberts, California, where he received his basic training.

Although dazed and shaken from the enemy artillery fire that had crashed into the ground only a few yards away, he realized that his position would soon be outflanked.

Again, alone, he carried his machine gun to a position to the right rear of the sector; enemy tanks and infantry were forcing a withdrawal.

Again, he loaded his gun on his back, and in a hail of small arms fire, he ran to a point where a few of his comrades were attempting to set up another defense against the onrushing enemy.

López's gallantry and intrepidity, on seemingly suicidal missions in which he killed at least 100 of the enemy were almost solely responsible for allowing Company K to avoid being enveloped, to withdraw successfully and to give other forces coming up in support time to build a line which repelled the enemy drive.López received an enthusiastic reception when his ship landed in New York City and he was greeted by New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia.