Infantryman used a shoulder-fired rocket launcher to take out more than 19 enemy soldiers and several machine guns
Medal of Honor Monday: Army Pvt. Pedro Cano
OCT. 7, 2019 | BY SHANNON COLLINS
As an infantryman in World War II, Army Pvt. Pedro Cano used a shoulder-fired rocket launcher to take out more than 19 enemy soldiers and several machine guns terrorizing American troops in Schevenhutte, Germany, during the Battle of Hurtgen Forest.
For this action, he earned the Medal of Honor in 1944.
According to the official citation, while he was serving with 4th Infantry Division in December 1944, the infantrymen launched an attack against German gun emplacements, but were turned back by enemy machine gun fire.
“Armed with a rocket launcher, Cano crawled through a densely mined area under heavy enemy fire and successfully reached a point within 10 yards of the nearest emplacement,” the citation said. “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,” the citation said. “When an adjacent company encountered heavy fire, Cano crossed his company front, crept to within 15 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. Infantryman
The next day, his company renewed the attack and again encountered heavy machine gun fire. Cano, armed with his rocket launcher, again moved across the fire-swept terrain and destroyed three enemy machine guns in succession, killing the six gunners, the citation said.
Call to Service
Cano was born in La Morita, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, but moved to Edinburg, Texas, with his family when he was 2 months old. As a young adult, he worked as a farm laborer before volunteering to join the Army in World War II.
Cano served in battles in France and Germany. Sometime after the Hurtgen Forest battle, Cano was seriously injured and was brought back to the United States. He eventually returned home to his wife and daughter in Edinburg.
Cano became a U.S. citizen in May 1946 and went on to have two more children. He died in a car crash in 1952.
Cano didn’t receive his Medal of Honor until decades after the war. His daughter, Dominga Perez, accepted it on her father’s behalf from President Barack Obama during a ceremony at the White House on March 18, 2014. Several other service members from past generations were honored that day.
Cano received other accolades, including two Bronze Star medals, a Purple Heart and a Distinguished Service Cross. For his extraordinary war efforts, Edinburg named a street and a school after him.
From Aaron Pena, Texas State Representative YouTube
Biography
Biography
Medal of Honor recipient Pedro Cano was born in La Morita, Mexico, June 19, 1920.
He joined the U.S. Army in 1944, during World War II.
Cano is being recognized for his valorous actions in the months-long battle of Hurtgen Forest. He was advancing with his company near Schevenhütte, Germany, in December 1944, when the unit met heavy enemy resistance. During a two-day period, Cano eliminated nearly 30 enemy troops.
Sometime later, while on patrol, Cano and his platoon were surprised by German soldiers that caused numerous casualties within their platoon. Cano lay motionless on the ground until the assailants closed in, then tossed a grenade into their midst, wounding or killing all of them. It was in this engagement, or shortly thereafter, that Cano sustained serious injuries. He was returned to the States and placed in a Veterans hospital in Waco, Texas. After which, he returned home to his wife and daughter in Edinburg.
Cano would pass away six years later. Posthumously, Cano received the Texas Legislature Medal of Honor. A school in Edinburg, Texas is named after Cano.
Cano received the Medal of Honor, March 18, 2014; Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one Silver Service Star and Bronze Arrowhead, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupations Medal with Germany Clasp, Presidential Unit Citations, Belgian Fourragere, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Honorable Service Lapel Button-World War II.
Medal of Honor Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
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.
Unit Information
4th Infantry Division
The 4th Infantry Division’s nickname, “Ivy” Division, comes from the design of its shoulder patch, four green ivy leaves joined at the stem and opening at the four corners. Ivy leaves are symbolic of tenacity and fidelity, and are the basis of the division motto, “Steadfast and Loyal.” The word ivy is a play on the Roman numeral four, IV.
The 4th Infantry Division has participated in World War I, World War II, Vietnam, Operation Iraqi Freedom/New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom.
In November 2002, the 4th Infantry Division assumed the division ready brigade mission and by January 2003, received orders to form a task force in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, or OIF. The division began deploying in March 2003. Following a successful 12-month deployment, the division returned home to Fort Hood, Texas.
Shortly after its redeployment, the 4th Infantry Division again received orders to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2005-2007, to serve as the Multi-National Division Baghdad Headquarters, departing in November 2005 and returning in November 2006.
In January 2007, the 4th Infantry Division was called on again to serve as the Multi-National Division Baghdad (MND-B) Headquarters for OIF 07-09. In the succeeding months, the Soldiers of Ironhorse Division trained and prepared for 15 months of combat.
By December 2007, the division assumed the battle-space of Multi-National Division Baghdad for a second time. The Ironhorse Division met Army strategic objectives as MND-B by setting the stage for strategic decisions to be made by the president of the United States and the prime minister of Iraq. The steadfast and loyal Soldiers of the division achieved the lowest levels of attacks in the history of OIF, and the highest level of reconstruction and capacity building ever in Baghdad Province.
In July 2009, upon returning from deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the 4th Infantry Division was re-stationed to Fort Carson, Colo., from Fort Hood, Texas.
In October 2010, the Ivy Division deployed to Iraq again in support of Operation New Dawn and served as the command for MND-North. Throughout operations in Iraq, 4th Infantry Division Soldiers served with pride and distinction, earning five campaign streamers.
With each of the brigades from the division serving in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom since May 2009, Ivy Soldiers continue to add to the proud history of the 4th Infantry Division.
Today, the 4th Infantry Division stands ready to bring the full spectrum of combat power to meet the nation’s call once again.
For more information, visit http://www.carson.army.mil/units/4id/