Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Compagnie-commandant

Unit:

Stoottroepen Gewest Delft, Binnenlandse Strijdkrachten (BS), Nederlands Verzet

Awarded on:

April 10th, 1953

Recommendation:
For having distinguished himself by exceptionally courageous and tactful deeds in combat against the enemy as company commander of the fighting unit of the B.S. (Binnenlandse Strijdkrachten – Armed forces of the Interior) in Zoetermeer. Having been forced to go into hiding, he was present in a hunting lodge on the river Rotte on April 29, 1945, when towards the evening the house was surrounded after the guards outside had been silenced.
The house contained, among others, 7 members of Allied air crews as well as his direct superior, the local commander of Zoetermeer. The latter immediately ordered armed resistance, distributed weapons but immediately afterwards he was hit in the head by German fire; Van Rij took command and left the house to make his way out, firing continuously, in order to secure an escape route for the other occupants. In this he succeeded, although at the cost of his own life and that of an American soldier.

Posthumously awarded (Royal Decree no. 54)