Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flying Officer

Unit:

No. 2744 Squadron, Royal Air Force Regiment, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

January 4th, 1946

Citation:
"On 16th April, 1945, Flying Officer Ringer was ordered to reconnoitre and lay a ground to air landmark near to Castel San Pietro which was occupied by the enemy. In a jeep, accompanied by Corporal Hope, he made repeated attempts to reach high ground south of the town but was unsuccessful owing to mined roads and blown (bridges. He then decided to try another route and soon came under heavy shell fire but took cover. When the shelling had ceased he proceeded to the objective and carried out his mission. He then returned to bring up the landmark party. On 22nd April, 1945, Flying Officer Ringer executed a similar reconnaissance in the San Giorgio area. Accompanied by Corporal Hope, he arrived in the area twenty minutes before the armoured columns sent to capture it and the site chosen was for some while under rifle and machine gun fire from enemy positions. Later in April, 1945, when under the command of the 2nd New Zealand Division, this officer was again ordered to lay a landmark as far forward as possible on the south bank of the river Adige in order to assist the leading division to break through the Venetian line. Flying Officer Ringer, with Corporal Hope, went forward with the leading platoon under heavy enemy fire and with great difficulty succeeded in accomplishing the mission. When enemy snipers became active they organised a patrol and cleared the area. From 29th April to 2nd May, 1945, the detachment continued to assist the New Zealand Division through to Trieste under most arduous conditions. This officer and airman displayed outstanding courage and leadership when the enemy was attempting to delay our forward troops in order to organise his retreating forces to hold the Venetian line."