Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Stories of Sacrifice

or
  • Filter Recipient Database here
    • Service Branch
    • Conflict / Era
    • Additional Filters
      -  
    or

World War II - U.S. Army

Pedro Cano

Details
  • Rank: Private
  • Conflict/Era: World War II
  • Unit/Command:
    Company C, 8th Infantry Regiment,
    4th Infantry Divisiion
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: December 2 - 3, 1944
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: Schevenhutte, Germany
Citation

Private Pedro Cano distinguished himself by 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 December 2 and 3, 1944. On the afternoon of the 2nd, American infantrymen launched an attack against German emplacements but were repulsed by enemy machinegun 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 machinegunners 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 machinegun fire. Private Cano, armed with his rocket launcher, again moved across fire-swept terrain and destroyed three enemy machineguns 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.

Medal of Honor Recipient Pedro Cano
Medal of Honor Recipient Pedro Cano
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Texas
  • Awarded Posthumously: Yes
  • Presentation Date & Details: March 18, 2014

    The White House presented to his daughter by President Barack Obama

  • Born: June 19, 1920, La Morita, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
  • Died: June 24, 1952, Pharr, TX, United States
  • Buried: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Edinburg, TX, United States
 

Questions? For More Information Contact Us!