Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sepoy (Private)

Unit:

1st Battalion, 2d Punjab Regiment, British Indian Army

Awarded on:

June 22nd, 1945

"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with 1st Battalion, 2d Punjab Regiment, near San Clemente, Italy on 22 February 1945. As a member of a six man patrol sent out to raid an enemy position on the forward slope of a hill, Sepoy Sher Ali charged an enemy trench, bayoneted its occupants and then assisted his patrol in killing two other enemy and capturing two prisoners. On the return journey, the patrol was suddenly attacked by 15 Germans, whereupon Sepoy Sher Ali without hesitating charged the Germans, killed two with his bayonet, and then turned to assist his comrades in killing three more. Upon seeing that there were only two members of his patrol left Sepoy Sher Ali ordered them to withdraw while he exposed himself to enemy fire in order to cover their return to allied lines. His gallantry and unswerving leadership reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the Allied Nations."

Headquarters: U.S. Army-Mediterranean Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 95