2717358 Guardsman James Henry GREENAN, MM, 3 Irish Guards

Date of Enlistment: Est. 1930
Date of Discharge: 18 November 1945

Army Number: 2717358
Rank: Guardsman
Name: James Henry GREENAN, MM
Unit: 3 Irish Guards

 

Recommendation for Award for Greenan, James Henry Rank: Guardsman Service... | The National Archives
Reference: WO 373/50/202
Name Greenan, James Henry
Rank: Guardsman
Service No: 2717358
Regiment: 3 Battalion Irish Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: North West Europe
Award: Military Medal
Date of announcement in London Gazette: 21 December 1944


Recommended for DCM, awarded MM
5 Guards Armoured Brigade, Guards Armoured Division, 8 Corps
2717358 James Henry GREENAN

On 11 August 1944 as a result of heavy casualties in Nos 2 and 4 Coys in the attack on the VIRE - VASSY rd, the remnants of the two boys were temporarily under come of a WO Cl II. At about 1400 hrs this force was approaching the VIRE-VASSY rd down a narrow lane when it came under intense MG fire from an enemy post some 50 yds ahead.
Attempts to dig-in were of no avail and heavy cas were being suffered. At the same time enemy inf were moving round on the right fank. The WO decided to withdraw his force whereupon Gdsm GREENAN, armed with a Bren gun, advanced openly down the lane towards the enemy post firing the Bren from the hip. He succeeded in silencing the enemy fire until al his comrades had withdrawn and them came back himself. But for the gallant conduct of this Gdsm, the WO's force would have suffered even heavier casualties and the splendid example he set was a steadying influence and allowed an orderly withdrawal
Signed JOE Vandeleur, Lt-Col Comd 3 IG

 

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Date of Enlistment:
Date of Discharge:

Army Number:
Rank:
Name:
Unit: Irish Guards


Campaign Stars & Medals :

• 1939-45 Star
• Africa Star
• Italy Star
• France & Germany Star
• Defence Medal
• War Medal 1939-45

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