 López received an enthusiastic reception when his ship landed in New York City and he was greeted by New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia.On a visit to Mexico City, he was greeted by the president of Mexico, Manuel Ávila Camacho, and awarded Mexico's highest military commendation, "la Condecoración del Mérito Militar".He later moved his family to San Antonio, where he was hired as a contact representative with the Veterans Administration.