Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

Reconnaissance Troop, 2nd Armoured Regiment (Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)), 5th Canadian Armoured Brigade, 5th Canadian (Armoured) Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
On the 24th May 1944 this officer acted as leader of the reconnaissance troop of the 2nd Canadian Armoured Regiment (Lord Strathcona's Horse), which was detailed to seize and hold a crossing over the River Melfa in advance of the Regimental Group. At approximately 1340 hours Lieutenant Perkins was leading his reconnaissance troop towards the Melfa and en route encountered a half-track carrier, the crew of which was killed, a defended house from which eight prisoners were captured, and a Panther tank, the crew commander of which was killed personally by Lieutenant Perkins with fire from his .5 Browning machine gun.
To cross the Melfa it was necessary to construct a track up the far bank which was under intense shell and mortar fire. Lieutenant Perkins personally directed and assisted in this work without regard to his own personal safety until his reconnaissance troop was able to negotiate the bank. Later during the day he stood on the back of two tanks in succession under intense shell and mortar fire to direct their fire on an 88-mm self-propelled gun which was doing serious damage to "A" Squadron. In all these actions this officer showed gallantry and power of leadership far above the average.
On 30th May 1944 at about 1630 hours Lieutenant Perkins with his reconnaissance troop was leading "B" Squadron, 2 Canadian Armoured Regiment (Lord Strathcona's Horse) towards the Brigade objective, the Torrice crossroads on Highway 6. It was known tanks were in the vicinity. He dismounted from his reconnaissance tank and with two of his crew members proceeded forward to recce on foot, unsupported by the cruiser tanks of "B" Squadron, which had not arrived. Shortly after leaving he had observed three Panther tanks, one Mark IV and one self-propelled gun when the party was fired on by one of these tanks. Lieutenant Perkins was wounded in three places, one member of his crew killed and the other seriously wounded. Removing the wounded man to a place of safety, he returned to his tank, reported the movements of the enemy armoured fighting vehicles and guns and directed the first two troops of tanks to arrive into positions where they were able to engage and destroy the five enemy armoured fighting vehicles. Despite his wounds and the heavy mortar, small arms and machine gun fire which continued to sweep the area, he remained in position directing artillery defensive fire which greatly assisted in holding the objective. Lieutenant Perkins remained on the objective for at least six hours after he had been wounded and his gallant action saved the life of one of his crew by removing him to a place of safety, enabled the destruction of five enemy armoured fighting vehicles, and materially assisted in holding the brigade objective by accurate direction of artillery defensive fire.
In these actions Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Perkins showed outstanding leadership, complete disregard for personal safety, outstanding determination and courage, such as to justify the highest recognition of his services.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 November, 1944.