Press Releases

DENVER—U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) joined Major Robert C. Churchill, during a ceremony held in her Lakewood office this week, to posthumously award the Purple Heart Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service Star, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge to the family of Private First Class Simon Cardenas, a Mexican American soldier who was killed in action while fighting on Omaha Beach in Normandy in 1944. He was in the 1st Infantry Division, 16th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Company H.
 

Photos of the event can be found here. Pettersen’s remarks as prepared for delivery can be found below:
 

—

Opening Remarks
 

Hello everyone and thank you for joining us today for this momentous occasion. 
 

I’m Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen and I represent Colorado’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
 

This is my first term in Congress and it is the greatest honor of my life that I get to help people from my community, like the family of Private First Class Simon Cardenas. Your determination to honor your beloved husband, father, and grandfather is why we are here today.
 

I want to welcome you all to my office and give a special thank you to Major Churchill for taking the time to be a part of this ceremony. 
 

We are gathered to pay tribute to an extraordinary individual who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation during World War II.
 

Private First Class Simon Cardenas was a Mexican American soldier who grew up in Colorado and enlisted on October 9th, 1942 in Pueblo. He bravely answered the call of duty during a critical time for our nation and served with unwavering dedication. 

He was assigned to Company H of the 16th Infantry Regiment, and his journey took him to many foreign countries, from the battlefields of Sicily to the beaches of Normandy, to far-reaching parts of Africa. He displayed exceptional heroism and was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions delivering critical ammunition and supplies over hazardous mountain trails, while under enemy fire, on August 4th, 1943.

Cardenas displayed this same courage and commitment to his comrades throughout his service. He was killed while fighting alongside them on November 22nd, 1944, as his company fought their way towards Germany on Omaha Beach in Normandy.

His commanding officer, Captain Edwin W. Elder, Jr., said he had the “real respect and friendship of all who knew him.” And that he, “died as he lived; courageously.”
 

I wish I had had a chance to meet this incredible man. Those of you here today who knew him or have grown up hearing stories about him – know that his service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.
 

During his service, Cardenas demonstrated not only his dedication to our country, but also his determination to overcome the discrimination that Mexican American soldiers often faced during this time period.
 

An estimated 400,000 Mexican Americans served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War ll, and a disproportionately high number served in frontline combat positions. But as numerous incidents showed, many experienced discrimination — regardless of rank or honors bestowed on them.
 

Yet, even in a country that wasn’t affording his community the same respect and freedoms they deserved, Cardenas still chose to defend our imperfect nation and promote the ideals of democracy across the globe.

Cardenas’ service reminds us that patriotism knows no boundaries. He fought shoulder to shoulder with comrades from every background, united by a shared goal of protecting Americans across the country. And today, as we honor his memory, we also honor the countless others who endured discrimination and still fought valiantly – many who didn’t make it home.
 

The medals we present today symbolize PFC Simon Cardenas' remarkable service and sacrifice. The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to those who are wounded or killed while serving in our Armed Forces, and was never documented for Cardenas – so today we are presenting his family with the Purple Heart medal and certificate.

Additionally, he earned three other recognitions from the Army that I was honored my office was able to help secure. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, the World War ll Victory Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge are each overdue symbols of our nation’s gratitude for PFC Cardenas and his service.
 

To the Cardenas family — especially to his wife Wanda, and children John, Scott, and Cris — we extend our deepest gratitude for sharing Simon’s story with us. Your presence here reminds us that the legacy of his sacrifice lives on through each of you, and through your children.
 

Thank you all for joining us as we honor Private First Class Simon Cardenas and reflect on his service to our nation. Now, I’ll turn things over to Major Churchill, who currently serves as the Operations Officer for the 3rd Armor Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division — but who served from 2015 to 2018 in the same infantry unit as Cardenas did 80 years ago.

Closing Remarks
 

Thank you all again for joining us today to honor this incredible soldier, husband, father, and man. There are not enough awards or accolades to show how truly grateful we are for PFC Cardenas and all those who serve our nation in uniform. They put everything on the line to protect our freedoms – and for that, we will be forever grateful.
 

Thank you.