Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sapper (Combat Engineer)

Unit:

2nd Canadian Field Park Company, 1st Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
On the night of 8 December 1943 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade attacked across the river Moro in Italy.
3rd Canadian Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers were to build a diversion across the river after the infantry had established a bridge head. Sapper McNaughton wit bull dozers were placed under the command of 3rd Field Company to assist in this task.
At 1800 hrs since it was not known whether the infantry had been successful it was decided to send in a small party to commence work.
Sapper McNaughton drove his machine down an exposed road to the bed of the river. He then recced a route across the river in order that he could start work on the enemy side of the river.
This route at its most distant point was 400 yards from the river on the enemy side. Without the slightest hesitation Sapper McNaughton began to walk to his machine along the route.
At one point he was sky lined and came under heavy machine gun fire but fully realizing the urgency of his task he carried on. He reached the site and commenced working.
Under continual machine gun, mortar and shell fire Sapper McNaughton quickly and skillfully cut down the far bank.
On the initiative, skill and bravery of this operator depended the success of the whole operation, for without the supporting tanks which crossed the river at 0700 hrs 9 December the infantry would have been in great difficulty.