Corporal James McGuinness
Unit : HQ Company, 9th Parachute Battalion
Service No. : 14526028
Awards : Military Medal
St. Come 12th June 1944. On the 12th June 1944, Corporal McGuinness was in charge of a machine gun post guarding a cross-roads which commanded the Battalion position. The cross-roads came under heavy artillery and mortar and later heavy fire from enemy tanks. On two occasions Corporal McGuinness's post received direct hits or near misses, all members of the crews becoming casualties. In spite of this Corporal McGuinness returned to the post and manned it for a third time until the gun itself was destroyed. By his actions Corporal McGuinness prevented the enemy gaining possession of a position from which they would have made a part of the Battalion position untenable.