2718472 Michael MORAN, MBE, MM, 1 Irish Guards

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Name Moran, Michael
Rank: Serjeant
Service No: 2718472
Regiment: 1 Battalion Irish Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy
Award: Military Medal
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 15 June 1944
Date 1944
Catalogue reference WO 373/6

LG - Viewing Page 2853 of Issue 36563

24th Guards Brigade, 1st British Division, 6 American Corps
2718472 Drill Sergeant Michael MORAN, 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS

On the night 29th / 30th January, No. 3 Company attacked on the left of the Brigade Sector.

C.S.M. MORAN was in charge of the company transport and acting second-in-command to Lieutenant SMITH of the U.S. ARMY, who as Platoon Commander of a T.D. Platoon was in command of the whole column.

The road up which this column was to advance had not been cleared of enemy. After advancing about 1 1/2 miles the column came under heavy Machine Gun fire from a house some 100 yards away and from enemy positions on the left flank.

C.S.M. MORAN quickly organised a small party and led an assault on the house and killed the German gunners, thus freeing the column from its most immediate danger.

On returning from this task he found that Lieutenant SMITH, U.S. ARMY, had been severely wounded, and that one carrier had been set on fire by mortar bombs which were no falling thickly on the road. C.S.M. MORAN instantly assumed command of the whole column ordering the T.D.s to provide flank protection, he organised the turn round of the column with the greatest coolness, under heavy fire, and took it back to a covered position.

During all this period whether attacking or organising, he showed complete disregard for his own safety. He then went forward to contact his Company Commander and reconnoitre a route up to his company positions. In the subsequent heavy fighting on that flank this Warrant Officer showed outstanding courage and leadership and personally led several attacks on Machine Gun posts with 100% success.

During the whole of the fighting his courage and initiative has been remarked on by all and he has certainly played a large share in securing the amount of Germans his company killed.

This N.C.O. has fought in PALESTINE, NORWAY, TUNISIA and now the ITALIAN campaigns, and has on all occasions set the highest example of personal courage and devotion to duty.

I strongly recommend he should be awarded the M.M.

Signed C.A. Montagu-Douglas-Scott, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS

 

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Army Number: 2718472
Rank: Serjeant
Name: M MORAN
Unit: 1 Irish Guards
GSM & Clasp: GSM, Palestine Clasp 1936 - 1939
TNA Reference: WO 100/503

 

Army Number: 2718472
Rank: Guardsman
Name: H MORAN
Unit: 3 Company, 1 Irish Guards
Theatre: Italy
Missing Personnel file: 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS - Italy, Missing Personnel file
TNA Reference: WO 361/784
Notes: Date of Payment 14 January 1944, NO CASH ISSUED

 

Irish Guards: Medal Rolls, General Service Medal, Palestine Clasp 1945 - 1948

Army Number: 2718472
Rank: Warrant Officer Class II, Drill Serjeant
Name: M MORAN, MM
Unit: 1 Irish Guards
GSM & Clasp: GSM, Palestine Clasp 1945 - 1948
TNA Reference: WO 100/526
Notes: