Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

No.14 Platoon, "C" Company, The North Nova Scotia Highlanders, 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
B.155191 Sergeant Joseph Prokopchuk came to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders as a private in August 1944. He put in number 14 Platoon, "C" Company and fought with this platoon through all their actions till March 1945 when he was made platoon Sergeant. In the attack on Bienen, March 25, Sgt. Prokopchuk led his platoon with great courage and with no regard for personal safety until evacuated with wound in both legs.
"C" Company was ordered to attack Bienen, Germany, a vital position in the Rees bridgehead of the river Rhine. One Battalion had already failed in this and two previous company attacks by this Battalion had also failed. It was very heavily held by paratroops, with numerous machine guns, mortars and self propelled guns and as happened with previous attacks the Company came under very heavy fire and many casualties were sustained including Sgt. Prokopchuk, who was wounded in both legs. Not being able to continue leading his platoon this NCO started to evacuate other wounded soldiers and in spite of continued heavy fire and great pain he evacuated twelve casualties personally until too weak to do any more. He was then evacuated himself.
This man's great personal bravery and unselfish devotion to duty were the means of saving the lives of several men and his conduct all the way throughout the entire campaign was of the highest order.