Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

48th Highlanders of Canada, 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Awarded on:

November 16th, 1944

Recommendation:
On the night of 17 May 1944, the 48th Highlanders of Canada were in the process of consolidating after a successful advance up the Liri Valley between Pignataro (Map Reference 8215) and Pontecorvo (Map Reference 7217). Suddenly out of the darkness enemy tracked vehicles were heard approaching the forward positions.
At once, Sergeant James Shaw with great coolness and daring put his 6 pounder anti-tank gun into crash action ready to engage at point blank range. This Non-Commissioned Officer then ordered mortar flares which disclosed less than forty yards away, three enemy self propelled guns with infantry moving in to attack. Undismayed, unhurried and unflinching in the face of withering fire from 75 mm and machine guns, Sergeant Shaw engaged and destroyed two of the enemy self propelled guns, forcing the third to withdraw out of range. During the assault by enemy infantry which followed immediately, this Non-Commissioned Officer displayed the same courage and notable devotion to duty which characterized his every action and contributed greatly to the defeat and destruction of the enemy.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 November, 1944.