Memorial

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1st Sgt Cecil J. Cantrell attended Mexia High School for two years and worked in an oil refinery.

He was awarded the Silver Star medal posthumously. The citation reads: On 31 December 1944, near ******, Sgt Cantrell's company became exposed to very heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire, which inflicted numerous casualties. Throughout the heavy concentration of fire, Sgt Cantrell, with utter disregard of personal safety, moved across the entire area, administering first aid to the wounded. On 1 January 1945, when committed to an attack, his company was pinned down by heavy sniper fire. Sgt Cantrell, again displaying unflinching courage, walked forward in the face of the fire to a position where he observed two enemy snipers in foxholes. With rapid action, he fired at the snipers and killed them. He then returned and informed his company commander that the enemy was entrenched to their immediate front. While reporting to his company commander, Sgt Cantrell was fatally wounded by sniper fire. The fearless devotion to duty, conscious heroism and the remarkable leadership displayed by Sgt Cantrell was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.