The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details O'Connor, James Rank: Lance Corporal Service No: 2614553 Regiment: 3 Battalion Grenadier Guards Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy Award: Military Medal Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 08 February 1945 Date 1944-1945 Catalogue reference WO 373/9 1st Guards Brigade, 6th Armoured Division, 13 Corps 2614553 Lance-Corporal James O'CONNOR, 3rd Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS On 5th September in a daylight patrol on M. POMINO (Map. Ref. R 033743) Lance-Corporal O'CONNOR was ordered to take his Section round an enemy Machine Gun post in order to bring fire to bear to a flank. On the way the section had to cross a piece of open ground which was being sprayed with enemy Machine Gun bullets. Lance-Corporal O'CONNOR skilfully manoeuvred his Section across this without loss and managed to place himself between the enemy Machine Gun post and their main positions. He then, on his own initiative and without order from the patrol leader, rushed in single-handed on the enemy post in which there were seven Germans. He held his fire until four yards off and then emptied his Tommy-gun magazine into the enemy, killing three, wounding one. The remaining four ran screaming away. Although the object of the patrol, which had been to dominate the ridge by offensive patrolling, had been achieved, Lance-Corporal O'CONNOR led his Section at a further post on the reverse slope of the hill and succeeded in wounding at least two Germans with Bren fire. During this episode, Lance-Corporal O'CONNOR's complete disregard for his own personal safety was an example to all and was largely responsible for the success of the patrol. In active operations since June 1944 this Lance-Sergeant has always shown outstanding courage in every engagement but his acts of bravery have not as yet been given recognition. I recommend Lance-Corporal for the immediate award of the M.M. Signed E.J.B. NELSON, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding 3rd Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS, 16th October 1944. Granted an Immediate M.M.
