Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

"C" Company, The North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment, 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Awarded on:

August 31st, 1944

Recommendation:
Lieutenant Fawcett commanded a platoon of "C" Company, North Shore (NB) Regiment and landed on the reserve company wave of the battalion assault on the beach at Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer at "H" plus 20 minutes on 6 June 1944.
This officer showed remarkable steadiness and leadership throughout two days of difficult fighting until wounded by mortar fire.
On the 6th, he rallied his platoon on the beach under fire, worked them off the beach and seized his initial objective exactly on time according to plan. Late on "D" Day, Lieutenant Fawcett at the assault on Tailleville personally led his platoon in to breach the town wall and was the first to gain a foothold inside the walled area. Here he at once organized his platoon to clear the area of enemy.
On 7 June 1944, this Officer showed the same cool courage in leading his platoon against the radar station. He fought his way to within 300 yards of the entrance to the radar station and held his ground despite heavy enemy mortar fire until he was wounded himself.
Lieutenant Fawcett remained cool, unhurried and decisive throughout the first two confused days of fighting. This steadiness and courage made itself felt throughout the whole company.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 31 August, 1944.