The Victoria Cross Medal is given to soldiers who have performed above and beyond expectations in war. They risk, and sometime give, their own lives to save others. Only 16 Canadians received this medal in World War II. Some of those recipients include Charles Hoey, Charles Merritt, Andrew Mynarski, John Osborn, Ernest Smith, Frederick Topham, Ian Bazalgette, and Frederick Tilston. On February 16, 1944, “Major Hoey's company formed a part of a force which was ordered to capture a position at all costs” (Veterans Affairs, "Charles Ferguson Hoey," 2014). The territory was well protected by machine gun and rifle fire. Major Hoey led his company to their objective. Along the way, Major Hoey was shot at least twice in the leg and head, but he still took a Bren gun from one of his men and fired from the hip. He pushed on very quickly and his team was falling behind. Hoey captured the enemy’s position first and killed all of the enemy soldiers residing in that location, until he was fatally wounded. Hoey received this award posthumously for his “outstanding gallantry and leadership, his total disregard of personal safety and his grim determination” (Veterans Affairs, "Charles Ferguson Hoey," 2014). Charles Cecil Ingersoll Merritt’s battalion landed on Green Beach. To reach their objectives, the battalion had to cross a heavily guarded bridge that went across the River Scie. German artillery, machine guns, and mortars protected the bridge which halted the battalion’s movement. Merritt took charge while he “led the survivors of at least four parties in turn across the bridge” (1942, p. 4323). From there, they took out several pillboxes and other enemy positions that defended the bridge and successful cleared a village. Even though he was... ... middle of paper ... ...ilston was wounded even worse in the leg but refused medical aid until he told his plan of defense to his one remaining officer and to emphasize the importance of holding the position. Only then did he relinquish command and the position of Tiltson’s company was held. The Victoria Cross is only awarded to soldiers who perform above and beyond the call of duty. These soldiers risked (and some lost) their lives in battle for the sake of other soldiers. Those men were worthy of this medal and were rightfully given them. Works Cited Canadian Virtual War Memorial. (2014, May 15). Veterans Affairs Canada. Retrieved May 27, 2014 War Office. (1942, October 2). The London Gazette, p. 4323. Air Ministry. (1946, October 11). The London Gazette, p. 5035. The Canadian Army. (1946, April 2). The London Gazette, p. 1617. War Office. (1945, May 22). The London Gazette, p.2607.
Officially credited with 80 air combat victories, 26 year old Manfred von Richthofen (“The Red Baron”) was not only Germany’s greatest Ace, but the greatest Ace of World War 2. Despite the fact that he was killed nearly 100 years ago on 21 April 1918, the question still remains: Who killed Manfred von Richthofen? While the kill was credited to be the work of Captain Roy Brown, a Canadian pilot, there are reasons to believe that the Baron was killed at the hands of a different soldier. Sergeant Cedric Popkin, of the 24th Australian Machine Gun Company is the man who was most likely to have shot his plane down. Not only was Cedric within the range the bullet was shot from, but bullet trajectory and evidence from the official autopsy comes
The award-winning novel by Stephen Ambrose, Band of Brothers: Easy Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest, discusses one of the greatest examples of mission command in the form of 1st Lieutenant Richard Winters and his role in the Brecourt Manor Assault. This battle is a textbook example of how to fight against a superior enemy force that outnumbered the unit by four times as much. Facing overwhelming odds with just 16 paratroopers against over 60 German Soldiers, 1LT Winters nevertheless prevails and succeeds in achieving his objective while minimizing casualties to just three Soldiers lost. Looking back further into the American Revolution, the Battle of Bunker Hill on the American side is one of the earliest examples of Mission Command under the command of COL William Prescott.
...ilver Star, the third-highest military honor, for an incident that happened nearly 30 years earlier, when he pulled seven comrades off a burning armored personnel carrier that had struck a mine. That act bravery left Hathcock badly burned and effectively ended his career as a rifleman.
After the Canadian victory at Vimy Ridge, other counties immediately started to view Canada as a strong and determined army. In earlier years, many British and French attacks had been made against the ridge, as it was the barrier preventing the allies from getting to Lens-Douai Plain. The French has lost 150,000 men at Vimy, while the British also suffered heavy causalities. Before the battle at Vimy, Canadian forces were not recognized for any significant military contributions, and a Canadian had never been commander of more than a single division of soldiers. After their victory, however, both Britain and France viewed Canada and their soldiers as a military force to be reckoned with. In fact, Sir Arthur Currie became commander of the entire Canadian corps after his performance in commanding the first Canadian division at Vimy. This showed that the British commander...
Zuehlke, Mark. Terrible Victory: First Canadian Army and the Scheldt Estuary Campaign, September 13-November 6, 1944. Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 2007. 15. Print.
Approximately 620,000 Canadians fought during the First World War. Nearly 700,000 if we account for the men and women that enlisted in the Canadian units outside of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and in the British forces. Of which, almost 173,000 Canadians were wounded and about 67,000 Canadians had lost their lives by November 11th, 1918. These casualties were devastating in numbers. Canada needed to regain the good faith of its people, despite the fact that it was still a colony of Britain. Canadians knew very little about why the war had started, or the significance of the events that instigated it. But, Canadians were called upon to fight it, therefore now was the greatest need for there to be better compensation for our returning Veterans than ever before. This was the time when the ground work for the Veterans Assistance Programs of today was laid down. Of ...
Frustrated by the commissioning programs of the time, Sledge begins his journey by resigning from the officer candidate program in an effort to more quickly reach combat. He subsequently volunteers to be a sixty millimeter mortar-man and joins Company K, Third Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment (K/3/5) of the First Marine Division. It is within this command framework that Sledge experiences two of the bloodiest campaigns of the Second World War...
...st victories like no other individual. Billy Bishop emerged from Owen Sound, Ontario and struggled through his training days. He proved himself as a great war hero and earned his spot among those most honoured and remembered.
The actions taken by Moore and his command group from Company Commanders to NCO’s, saved the lives of numerous American soldiers. This battle shows the leadership and unit discipline were needed to survive and be combat effective in adverse situations. Throughout the battle you see numerous Army Values and Warrior Ethos being used. “I will never leave a fallen comrade”, was the etho used the most, to reach the separated platoon. The battle also shows that not all tactical orders are effective, but as leader you must never second guess yourself.
The accomplishments of the Canadian army brought respect from other countries to Canada. The victory of Vimy Ridge brought confidence to the Canadian Army. The Battle of Vimy Ridge affected Canada considerably.
MacArthur, Douglas. “Duty, Honor, Country.” Sylvanus Thayer Award Acceptance. West Point, NY. 12 May, 1962.
America’s veterans should be honored because they have suffered through so many hardships that others could not and have not survived, and they did it for their country that they loved and still love today.
On the 11th of June Roberts-Smith deservingly earned his Victorian Cross Medallion, when he was on his 5th tour of Afghanistan. He was deployed on a mission to hunt down a senior Taliban commander in the Kandahar
However, although it might be his job to protect others, his act of heroism should not be taken for granted. As established earlier, a hero is defined as someone who, in public or in private, defends a moral cause at personal risk without expectation of reward. Andy Peat took the initiative to put his life at risk while explosive bombs were going off. No one told him to go and lay on a bomb in order to save his Danish colleagues, for he knew it was just the right thing to do at the time. Despite his heroic actions, Peat didn’t think he needed anything in return, not even the Anders Lassen Award. Lieutenant Colonel Claus Wannen, head of the Danish SPecial Forces, said, “Warrant Officer One Andy Peat made an extraordinary contribution. On that tragic day he proved his worth and it’s most likely he save a number of lives that evening. It does not strike me as a surprise that he was the one making a difference on the roof that night.” After receiving the reward, Andy Peat said he would be sharing the award with his team, adding, “You are only as good as the guy standing next to you.” Andy Peat is a hero because he risked his life in order to save those who he felt deserved to
Following his death James received the Star Award, British War Medal and the Victory Medal.