Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Corporal

Unit:

No.17 Platoon, C Company, 2nd Battalion The South Staffordshire Regiment, British Army

Awarded on:

February 20th, 1945

Awarded for:

Operation Market Garden

"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, during the battle of Arnhem, Belgium in September 1944. Corporal McGrath succeeded in killing a sniper who was harassing the safety of the men in his platoon area. Later, in spite of a painful wound in the back, he would not go to the regimental aid post until ordered so to do. He returned to duty when the enemy had attacked and had taken a position between the regimental aid post and Corporal McGrath's original position. Due to casualties in reforming his own unit, he was left alone with his Bren Gun, which he continued to fire against increasing opposition as he successfully held off the enemy attack."

Headquarters: European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 18