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Staff Sergeant · U.S. Army

Marcario Garcia

Staff Sergeant Marcario Garcia, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on November 27, 1944 near Grosshau, Germany during World War II.

Staff Sergeant Marcario Garcia was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 27, 1944 near Grosshau, Germany during World War II. At the time he was serving with Company B, 22d Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Garcia was 24 years old.

The medal was presented on August 23, 1945 — the White House, presented by Pres. Harry S. Truman.

Garcia was born on January 2, 1920 in Villa de Castano, Mexico — one of 8 recipients born in Mexico. His Medal of Honor is credited to Sugar Land, Fort Bend County, Texas. Garcia died on December 24, 1972 in Sugarland, Texas, at the age of 52. He is buried at Houston National Cemetery in Houston, Texas. His medal is held by Texas Capitol Building, Austin, TX.

Garcia is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 78 credited to Texas.

Official Medal of Honor citation

While an acting squad leader of Company B, 22d Infantry, on 27 November 1944, near Grosshau, Germany, he singlehandedly assaulted two enemy machine-gun emplacements. Attacking prepared positions on a wooded hill, which could be approached only through meager cover, his company was pinned down by intense machine-gun fire and subjected to a concentrated artillery and mortar barrage. Although painfully wounded, he refused to be evacuated and on his own initiative crawled forward alone until he reached a position near an enemy emplacement. Hurling grenades, he boldly assaulted the position, destroyed the gun, and with his rifle killed three of the enemy who attempted to escape. When he rejoined his company, a second machine gun opened fire and again the intrepid soldier went forward, utterly disregarding his own safety. He stormed the position and destroyed the gun, killed three more Germans, and captured four prisoners. He fought on with his unit until the objective was taken and only then did he permit himself to be removed for medical care. SSgt. (then Pvt.) Garcia's conspicuous heroism, his inspiring, courageous conduct, and his complete disregard for his personal safety wiped out two enemy emplacements and enabled his company to advance and secure its objective.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Wounds and injuries

What the citation records about his wounds:

Although painfully wounded, he refused to be evacuated and on his own initiative crawled forward alone until he reached a position near an enemy emplacement.

Other decorations and honors

Besides the Medal of Honor, Marcario Garcia received:

Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War II.

Places

  • Born: Castaños — map
  • Died: Houston — map
  • Buried: Houston National Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Texas →

Timeline

  1. January 2, 1920
    Born in Villa de Castano, Mexico
  2. November 27, 1944
    Act of valor — near Grosshau, Germany
    Age 24. Company B, 22d Infantry, 4th Infantry Division
  3. August 23, 1945
    Medal of Honor presented
    The White House, presented by Pres. Harry S. Truman
  4. December 24, 1972
    Died in Sugarland, Texas
    Age 52.
  5. Resting place
    Houston National Cemetery
    Houston, Texas

Biography

Staff Sergeant Marcario García also known as Macario García (January 20, 1920 – December 24, 1972) was the first Mexican immigrant to receive the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military decoration. He received the award for his heroic actions as a soldier during World War II.

From the Wikipedia article “Marcario García”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

More World War II recipients from Texas

Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.