A World War II veteran who lost his life in Normandy, France as his unit battled their way across Omaha Beach toward Germany has been posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal at a private ceremony in Lakewood, Colorado. 

Longtime Lakewood resident John Simon Cardenas never met his father in person.  However, along with his own son Scott and daughter Cris, he accepted the Purple Heart and three additional military awards on behalf of his late father, thanks to the efforts of U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen who helped secure the documentation and long-overdue military decorations.

Pfc. Simon Cardenas was a Mexican American soldier who grew up in Colorado and enlisted in the United States Army on Oct. 9, 1942. He was assigned to H Company of the 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division– known to many who served as the “Big Red One.”

Cardenas served in the European Theater–from the battlefields of Sicily to Africa and to the beaches of Normandy where he was killed in action on Nov. 22, 1944. 

“We are here to pay tribute to an individual who made the ultimate sacrifice to our nation during World War II,” Pettersen said of Pfc. Simon Cardenas. 

“He bravely answered the call of duty during a critical time for our nation and served with unwavering dedication.” 

While it is still a mystery why Cardenas’ actions were never fully recognized at the time, his son says the family is grateful for the help.

“My family and I would like to extend our appreciation to our congresswoman, Brittany Pettersen, and her wonderful staff,” he said to a small gathering in Pettersen’s office. “ This brings closure to a very long search for information regarding my father.” 

In the 26 months Pfc. Cadenas served in the U.S. Army, he left an indelible mark on those around him. 

Less than a year after donning a uniform, Pfc. Cardenas was awarded the Bronze Star on Aug. 14, 1943, for exceptional heroism in delivering critical ammunition and supplies over hazardous mountain trails near Troina, Sicily while under enemy fire. 

Records show his commanding officer, Capt. 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, Pettersen said.

“During his service, Cardenas demonstrated not only his dedication to his country but also his dedication to overcoming the discrimination that Mexican American soldiers often faced during this time,” she said. 

According to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, “an estimated 400,000 Mexican Americans served in the U.S. armed forces during the war, and compared to other ethnic and racial groups in the United States, Mexican Americans served in disproportionately high numbers in frontline combat positions.”

“But as numerous instances show, many experienced discrimination, regardless of rank or honors bestowed upon them,” Pettersen said. “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.”

Along with the Purple Heart, Pfc. Cardenas was also posthumously awarded three additional recognitions that Pettersen’s office was able to  able to secure:

• The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star
• The World War II Victory Medal
• The Combat Infantry Badge

U.S. Army Capt. Rob Churchill, Operations Officer for the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, presided over the presentation. Churchill served in the same infantry unit as Cardenas almost 80 years ago.

“One of the most unique and awesome things about today’s military is our shared connections through space and time,” Churchill said. “So regardless of the time gap between myself and Pfc. Cardenas, we were in the 16th Infantry Regiment—thus connected for life.” 

While Pfc. Cardenas never got to meet his son, he always mentioned him in the letters he sent home to his wife Bessie Barreras, who would go on to financially support the entire family by herself, including grandparents and others.

Scott Cardenas, grandson of Pfc. Cardenas, said some of his earliest memories are of the stories of his grandfather.

“Although I never met him, I felt like I knew him,” he said.