Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sapper (Combat Engineer)

Unit:

16th Field Company, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Awarded on:

August 31st, 1944

Recommendation:
D.15283 Sapper Duval, J., an operator of an armoured D-7 bulldozer, landed at H plus 60 minutes, pulling a tractor of road-making material. His task was to clear and maintain the inland route from Nan White Beach through Bernières-sur-Mer. On being told by an officer that there were no other bulldozers available as yet, he unhooked his trailer and in 20 minutes constructed three wheeled vehicle exits over a sea wall, making it possible to get the first wheeled vehicles off the beach. This action was done under enemy small arms and severe mortar fire.
On D plus 1, Sapper Duval, J. was ordered to remove ten burned-out enemy vehicles from the road between Le Mare and Villons-les-Buissons and thus reopen that road for vehicle traffic. While he was engaged on this job, our tanks and troops who were both deployed in the vicinity and lined up waiting to pass through the block came under heavy enemy mortar for. Sapper Duval, J. completed his job regardless, although at one time the D-7 was struck and slightly damaged by mortar fragments.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 31 August, 1944.