Pete Jimenez

Staff Sergeant Pedro "Pete" Jiménez (February 2, 1917, Vaughn, New Mexico - March 5, 2006, Pueblo, Colorado) was a United States Army soldier who fought in the European theatre of World War II. He was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, and awarded the Croix de Guerre and two Bronze Stars.[1] Noting the great discrepancy between the French and American awards, in 2004 the Colorado Senate passed Senate Joint Resolution 04-026, requesting that the longtime state resident be nominated for the Medal of Honor.[2]

Pete Jiménez
Born(1917-02-02)February 2, 1917
Vaughn, New Mexico
DiedMarch 5, 2006(2006-03-05) (aged 89)
Pueblo, Colorado
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
RankStaff sergeant
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsChevalier of the Legion of Honor
Croix de guerre with Bronze Star
Bronze Star (2)
Purple Heart (5)

Biography

Jimenez fought in Europe as part of the 29th Infantry Division from the D-Day invasion (at Omaha Beach) through to the eventual surrender of Germany.[3] He received the French honors and a Bronze Star for his actions on September 17, 1944, in the French city of Brest.[2] Jimenez led a three-man patrol to check out what turned out to be a tunnel. The men were pinned down by fire from a German 20mm antiaircraft gun, which Jimenez silenced by shooting and killing two of its crew. Small groups of German soldiers then attempted to exit the tunnel, but were kept bottled up by rifle fire from Jimenez and his men. Finally, to Jimenez's surprise, about 200 enemy soldiers emerged with their hands in the air.[1][4] He later recalled, "The Germans formed a column five or six abreast and one and a half city blocks long".[5] He speculated that, "They must have thought there was a lot more of us than there were."[4] The provisional French government awarded him the Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star (Etoile Bronze) on January 25, 1945.[5]

After the war, Jimenez settled in Pueblo, Colorado, in 1949. He worked for the Colorado Fuel and Iron Corporation until he retired in 1980.[6]

Decorations and other honors
  • Chevalier of the Legion of Honor
  • Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star
  • Two Bronze Stars
  • Five Purple Hearts

In 2009, a section of highway connecting Colorado State Highway 47 and William White Boulevard was named the Pete Jimenez Parkway.[4] A park in Pueblo was named Pete Jimenez Park in his honor.[4][7]

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References
  1. "Congressional Record, 108th Congress (2003-2004): Honoring Pete Jimenez -- Hon. Scott McInnis (Extensions of Remarks - July 25, 2003)". Library of Congress. July 25, 2003. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  2. "Senate Joint Resolution 04-026" (PDF). Colorado General Assembly official website. 2004. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  3. Joe Burlas (September 24, 2004). "Pentagon salutes military service of Hispanic World War II veterans". Army News Service. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  4. Peter Roper (January 10, 2011). "Park to take name of World War II veteran". The Pueblo Chieftain.
  5. Balkoski, Joseph (February 25, 2008). From Beachhead to Brittany: The 29th Infantry Division at Brest, August-September 1944. Stackpole Books. p. 276. ISBN 9780811703253. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  6. "2003 Colorado State Fair Grand Marshal & Honorary Marshal Named". Hispania News. August 8, 2003. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  7. "Pete Jimenez Park". City of Pueblo official website. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
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