Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Kapitein (Captain)

Unit:

11e Grens Battaljon, Wapen der Infanterie

Recommendation:
For having distinguished himself by exceptionally courageous and tactful deeds in combat against the enemy in the early morning of May 10, 1940, fearlessly and inspiringly leading his company that was threatened on its flank and from the front by the enemy who had broken through acoss the Maas/Waal canal near Hatert, regaining the lost ground and even recapturing bunkers, previously surrended by a neighboring unit and holding the enemy on his flank at bay until he was ordered to retreat in the afternoon. Furthermore on May 13, when Rhenen had been abandoned by friendly forces and occupied by the enemey, having entered the burning town at the head of his men, exhausted from previous nightly marches and despite being subjected to fire from various directions, having penetrated in fierce fighting and being harassed by aircraft up to and across the railway and the railway bridge across the Lower Rhine to the east.
Finally, after it had become clear that attacks by supporting units had failed and finding himself alone against a majority, for having turned back in a tactful fashion and maintaining full control over his company by his personal example covering the further retreat of the battalion in a rear guard action.

Royal Decree no. 10 dated 13 november 1946.