George Ham Cannon | |
|---|---|
 George H. Cannon, Medal of Honor recipient | |
| Born | November 5, 1915 Webster Groves, Missouri |
| Died | December 7, 1941 (aged 26) Sand Island, Midway Islands |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1938–1941 |
| Rank |  First Lieutenant |
| Unit | 6th Defense Battalion |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
| Awards |  Medal of Honor Purple Heart Medal |
First Lieutenant George Ham Cannon, USMC, (November 5, 1915 – December 7, 1941) was the first United States 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.