Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

"C" Company, The North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment, 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
During the attack on Millingen on the 26th of March 1945, Sergeant Hennigar was Platoon Sergeant of the leading Platoon in "C" Company. His platoon was heavily shelled on the start line and suffered casualties but this NCO very cooly went among the sections, reorganizing them and encouraging them forward, showing complete disregard for his own safety.
The platoon objective having been taken, the company came under murderous machine gun fire from houses to the front and had to take cover in trenches which had just been cleared. Sergeant Hennigar to obtain a field of fire had to move into the open and in this exposed position by his daring action and accurate fire caused the enemy fire to become greatly reduced. At this moment an enemy tank appeared from around the corner of one of the houses and opened fire on the platoon position. Sergeant Hennigar immediately secured a PIAT and with a well directed bomb forced the enemy tank to retire.
During the action this NCO also used the PIAT on a fortified house which the enemy were defending with determination, and forced the remaining ten German soldiers to surrender after two direct hits had been made on the house.
The cool determination and bravery of this non commissioned officer in the face of heavy odds allowed the rest of the company to get on their objective, which was a vital point in the enemy's defences and was holding up the advance of the rest of the company. Sergeant Hennigar was a tower of strength to his platoon and company and contributed greatly to the success of the operation.