George H. Cannon, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

George H. Cannon

United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient

Date of Birth: 05-Nov-1915

Place of Birth: Webster Groves, Missouri, United States

Date of Death: 07-Dec-1941

Profession: military officer

Nationality: United States

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

First Lieutenant George Ham Cannon, USMC, (November 5, 1915 – December 7, 1941) was the first U.S.
Marine in World War II to receive the nation's highest military award — the Medal of Honor. He posthumously received the medal for "distinguished conduct in the line of his profession, extraordinary courage, and disregard of his own condition" during the bombardment of Midway Island by Japanese forces on December 7, 1941.
He remained at his Command Post despite being mortally wounded by enemy shell fire.
He refused to be evacuated until his men who had been wounded by the same shell were evacuated, and he continued to direct the reorganization of his Command Post until forcibly removed.
He refused medical attention until he was assured communications were restored to his Command Post.
As a result of his utter disregard of his own condition, he later died from loss of blood.