Thieves steal WW II-era cannon from American Legion post in San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO — American Legion members in southern Texas are trying to locate a World War II-era cannon that was stolen from a post in San Antonio over the weekend.

The 57-millimeter cannon was one of two World War II-era cannons that had been landmarks at the San Antonio Alamo Post 2 since they were dedicated in 1946, KSAT reported.

“Shame on you for taking it,” Geronimo Franco, an American Legion member, told the television station.

“People that drive by this post identify the post because of the guns out front,” Arturo Escobar, another American Legion member, told KSAT.

Escobar said both cannons were secured, but added that the thieves “took the harder one of the two to take and left the easier one of the post because they couldn’t actually figure out how to hook it.”

A tire jack was left at the American Legion post.

“They just dragged that thing away,” Franco told KSAT.

The post has been closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is also in need of repairs, members said.

Members were distraught after learning of the theft.

“It’s a loss. We cannot replace this weapon,” Escobar told KSAT.

“I don’t know what they’re going to do with a cannon, where they’re going to be able to hide it,” Franco told the television station. “Unless they turn into scrap, which is a really bad idea.”

Cox Media Group