Wright, George William

Date of birth:: September 11th, 1920 (Belleville/Ontario, Canada)
Date of death:: December 19th, 2018 (Prince Edward County/Ontario, Canada)
Nationality:: Canadian

Biography

1940-1942: Enlisted and subsequently served with the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment in the UK.
1942-1945: No. 1 company, 1st battalion of the First Special Service Force.

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Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Sergeant
Unit:: No.1 Company, 1st Regiment, 1st Special Service Force "Devil's Brigade", Fifth Army, U.S. Army
Awarded on:: July 8th, 1944

"For gallantry in action against the enemy near Borgo Sabotino when his assistant was wounded in the leg and arm after about 35 Germans struck his section of the outpost line, and succeeded in delaying the hostile advance sufficiently to permit his comrade to withdraw. In order to cover the wounded man's withdrawal, he advanced toward the enemy, firing his automatic rifle from the hip. Although he placed himself in an extremely dangerous position by advancing alone toward the enemy, he succeeded in delaying the hostile advance sufficiently to permit his comrade to withdraw. Sergeant Wright then made a fighting withdrawal to his own main line of resistance."

Headquarters, 5th Army, General Orders No. 93

Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal

Awarded on:: 2013

Congressional Gold Medal

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: 2013

DM Award for Excellence

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:: No.1 Company, 1st Regiment, 1st Special Service Force "Devil's Brigade", Fifth Army, U.S. Army
Awarded on:: 2013

David Johnston Governor General of Canada, in a speech to the men of the First Special Service Force:

“As commander-in-chief of Canada, I frequently speak to Canadians about the contributions our veterans have made to our country and to the world. In this, the First Special Service Force is a shining example of co-operation among Allied soldiers in the war, and a lasting symbol of trust between our two countries.

For those of you who are gathered here to receive this award for operational excellence, today is no doubt a proud, yet difficult, day. The members of this unit paid a very high price for their service, and as veterans you understand the enormity of that sacrifice in a way that few of us can truly comprehend.

Each of us remembers the cost of war in our own, private way, but together we recognize that the members of this force served valiantly, in common cause. That cause was freedom from tyranny, and as citizens of free and democratic societies, we must never forget our debt to those who served.

I offer my deepest appreciation to the Canadian and American members of the First Special Service Force. Thank you for your courage and sacrifice.”

Presented by Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs, at Parliament Hill on January, 27, 2013.