Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

"C" Company, Highland Light Infantry of Canada, 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Awarded on:

December 8th, 1945

Recommendation:
Sergeant Peter Joseph Steinman, while serving with The Highland Light Infantry of Canada in the campaign for the liberation of Holland, displayed great courage, leadership and selfless devotion to duty.
On the afternoon of 31 March 1945, "C" Company of the Highland Light Infantry of Canada, of which Sergeant Steinman was a member, was assigned the task of crossing a blown bridge south of s'-Heerenberg and clearing the enemy from the dominating trench system beyond, to enable the construction of a new bridge. The enemy were firmly entrenched on the north side of the water obstacle covering the bridge approaches. The bridge itself and surrounding area was in plain view of the enemy and enemy snipers were located in high buildings on the outskirts of s'-Heerenberg, overlooking the bridge.
Under covering fire of a troop of tanks and supporting artillery fire, 15 Platoon, in which Sergeant Steinman commanded a Section, was to force the bridge, the remainder of the Company following when the initial success had been gained. Sergeant Steinman's Section was the leading section.
The importance of his task was pointed out to him by his Company Commander and the fact that if there was any hesitation in the initial assault and success was not immediately attained, the whole attack would bog down.
This intrepid Non-Commissioned Officer, with calculating coolness, unshakeable determination and practised skill, manoeuvred his Section into position for the assault over the ruins of the bridge. Enemy fire inflicted several casualties but at the appointed hour this dauntless Section Leader led his Section with great dash and utter disregard for his own personal safety and successfully secured a foothold in the enemy trench system thus beating down the enemy fire and enabling the remainder of the Platoon and Company to come forward and clean up the remaining enemy.
This action made possible the immediate construction of a bridge, subsequent move forward of the Brigade Group and speedy development of this important main axis.

Royal Decree No. 2, dated December 8th, 1945.
Permission to wear the decoration was granted on December 22nd, 1945.