Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lance Sergeant

Unit:

No. 2 Flame Section, Carrier Platoon, Stormont Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
Lance Sergeant Alvin Clifford Dolan, commanding Number 2 Flame Section of the Carrier Platoon, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders during the battle for the Rhine bridgehead on 25 March 1945 showed such gallantry, exceptional leadership and promptness of action as to be largely responsible for the success of "B" Company's attack on the Tillhaus strongpoint north of Grietherbusch, Germany.
Lance Sergeant Alvin Clifford Dolan was supporting "B" Company, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders on to Tillhaus, the final battalion objective, and the Regimental Headquarters of the enemy garrison. Five hundred yards from the strongpoint the enemy opened fire with heavy and medium machine guns. Several casualties were inflicted on "B" Company including the Company Commander. "B" Company was forced to ground and unable to advance through the withering fire. Sensing the seriousness of the situation, and with complete disregard for the safety of himself or his Section, Lance Sergeant Alvin Clifford Dolan signaled his flame crews forward. Without any covering fire he led his carriers forward to the strongpoint, flushing the enemy fortifications and trench systems with flame and chasing the defenders screaming from their hide-outs. This bold action allowed "B" Company Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders to advance and mop up Tillhaus. A score of enemy were killed and wounded. Among the prisoners taken were the Lieutenant-Colonel and Adjutant of the German garrison.
Through the gallant and determined action of Lance Sergeant Alvin Clifford Dolan, "B" Company, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders was able to quickly capture and consolidate on the forward battalion objective which was on the extreme left flank of the Rhine bridgehead.