Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

No.15 Platoon, "C" Company, The North Nova Scotia Highlanders, 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
Lieutenant William Myers, "C" Company, North Nova Scotia Highlanders, on 25 March 1945, led 15 Platoon at Bienen, Germany, with such unflinching courage that it penetrated the strong outer defenses of the village enabling the follow-up force to get into the village and break through.
The village of Bienen, Germany, was located at the bottle-neck of the western part of the 30 British Corps Bridgehead across the Rhine River. Several unsuccessful attempts had been made to capture Bienen. "C" Company with 15 Platoon leading, launched its attack on the main cross roads at the south edge of the village.
The approach was over open ground for about 500 yards and from the outset the platoon came under extremely heavy machine gun fire from the edge of the village and suffered heavy casualties. Lt. Myers led his platoon with such bravery that, although there were only eight men remaining in the platoon, they reached the edge of their objective.
At this point the platoon was under fire from both flanks and from a strongly held house across the road. Under this fierce machine gun fire Lt. Myers organized an assault with his remaining men and led them across the road, attacked the house and neutralized the fire from the flanks.
Although so seriously wounded himself as to be completely paralyzed, his inspired leadership and example had been such that the objective was reached assisting the following platoons to capture their objectives.
This main cross roads was vital to the defense of Bienen, its capture enabled following troops to seize the village and others to break out of the western part of the Rhine River Bridgehead.
In this vital action Lt. Myers' leadership and bravery were of the highest order. He inspired all about him with his fine example.