Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Captain

Unit:

17th Canadian Field Regiment RCA, 5th Canadian (Armoured) Division, Canadian Army

Awarded on:

March 8th, 1945

"On 7 September 1944, Acting Captain Brown was a Forward Observation Officer with the Irish Regiment of Canada which was holding the ridge immediately east of Coriano. The battalion, and particularly the most forward companies, were under direct observation by the enemy holding Coriano Ridge and as a result was being heavily mortared and shelled.

Captain Brown, in order to gain the necessary observation to deal with the enemy mortars, occupied an observation post in a house fully exposed to enemy observation and fire. From here he began the task of locating and engaging these targets. During some particularly heavy shelling Captain Brown's observation post was hit by shells several times and the house collapsed. This same shelling killed one other Forward Observation Officer in this area and wounded the battery commander. Realizing that he was the only artillery officer remaining to relieve the infantry of its mortaring and shelling, Captain Brown occupied another exposed house from which he could see and engage the enemy mortars. This second house was, however, soon engaged by the enemy and destroyed. Showing great courage and determination, Captain Brown, knowing that only from a house could he see the flash of enemy mortars behind the Coriano Ridge, occupied yet a third one. This house, too, was engaged by the enemy and although hit by shells many times, Captain Brown remained there and successfully stopped the enemy mortaring and the greater part of the shelling.

The determination and devotion to duty shown by Captain Brown undoubtedly saved the infantry in this position from many more casualties. His actions under these trying conditions are worthy of great praise."