Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

B Company, 1st Battalion The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada, 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
On the evening of 29 March 1945, the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada, consolidated in the vicinity of Gendringen, Holland. "B" company was ordered to sent a 20 man fighting patrol to Beeneburg, a large farm about one kilometer away, as a prelude to further operations by the battalion.
Upon the patrol nearing the objective, it was observed that farm was strongly held. Sergeant Ruczak, who was commanding one of the three sections of the patrol, led his men behind the main group of buildings, surprised the guard and took three prisoners. One man was observed fleeing into a nearby barn, and Sergeant Ruczak immediately gave chase. On following the man into the barn, he came upon 40 Germans who were preparing to defend the position. By dint of much shooting and threatening gestures with his sten gun, he bluffed the enemy into surrendering, thus taking 40 prisoners single-handed. The patrol took a total of 67 prisoners.
Approximately half an hour later, "B" Company consolidated on the objective and the same patrol again was sent out, this time another farm, a distance of approximately one kilometer. During the advance, the patrol came under heavy small arms fire. Sergeant Ruczak pin-pointed the fire as coming from a ditch directly to his front. While the remainder of the patrol remained on the ground, Sergeant Ruczak continued to command his men and successfully placed his section in a fire position covering the advance of the main body of the patrol, which cleared the enemy from the ditch, killing two.
The singular bravery and determination of this NCO was wholly responsible for the success of the patrol, which in turn enabled the company to reach its objective.