"For acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and
beyond the call of duty while serving with Company C, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division during combat operations against an
armed enemy in Schevenhutte, Germany on 2 and 3 December 1944. On the
afternoon of the 2nd, American infantrymen launched an attack against
German emplacements but were repulsed by enemy machine gun fire. Armed
with a rocket launcher, Private Cano crawled through a densely mined
area under heavy enemy fire and successfully reached a point within ten
yards of the nearest emplacement. He quickly fired a rocket into the
position, killing the two gunners and five supporting riflemen.
Without hesitating, he fired into a second position, killing two more
gunners and proceeded to assault the position with hand grenades,
killing several others and dispersing the rest. Then, when an adjacent
company encountered heavy fire, Private Cano crossed his company front,
crept to within fifteen yards of the nearest enemy emplacement and
killed the two machine gunners with a rocket. With another round he
killed two more gunners and destroyed a second gun. On the following
day, his company renewed the attack and again encountered heavy
machine gun fire. Private Cano, armed with his rocket launcher, again
moved across fire-swept terrain and destroyed three enemy machine guns in
succession, killing the six gunners. Private Cano’s extraordinary
heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in
keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect
great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army."
From Pvt. Cano's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on April 26, 1946.
The City of Edinburg, Texas hosted a second ceremony for Pedro Cano
64 years later on May 18, 2010 at the municipal auditorium. Texas Governor Rick Perry personally presented the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to the surviving family of Pedro Cano.
May you be at peace,
Brian
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