Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

D Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Canada, 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
On 11 October 1944 Lieutenant Pleasance, a platoon commander in the Royal Regiment of Canada, was given the difficult task of capturing a vital enemy strongpoint astride a dyke on South Beveland in the southern Holland.
During the last eight hundred yards of the advance, the platoon had to move across open country, the only cover being small irrigation ditches. During the whole of this advance, despite the fact that the platoon was under constant enemy machine gun, mortar, and shell fire, Lieutenant Pleasance displayed remarkable courage and disregard for his own personal safety by moving about among his men directing their fire, and encouraging them forward.
On approaching the objective, a small bridge which was to be used to cross a twenty foot canal, was found to be blown. This obstacle was quickly overcome by laying an improvised bridge, and the platoon was quickly passed across.
Lieutenant Pleasance then led his platoon in a fierce attack against the enemy strongpoint. The position was completely overrun, and the enemy all killed or taken prisoner.
By his determination, leadership and courage, Lieutenant Pleasance succeeded in knocking out a vital enemy position, and stabilizing the entire battalion front.