Private Leroy Herbert Maillard Forter

 

Unit : No.8 Platoon, "C" Company, 13th Parachute Battalion

Army No. : 14841779

Awards : Military Medal

 

On Saturday 7th April 1945, 8 Platoon, C Company, 13th Battalion, Parachute Regiment, were engaged in a right flanking movement to cut off the enemy rear during the advance from the Weser to Poggenhagen.

 

During this movement the Platoon became engaged with concealed and dug in flak batteries. A withering fire was brought to bear on them. The Platoon was in the open, extended. Private Forter noticed that another man had been wounded and lost a foot, and was completely exposed. Without hesitation, and with amazing coolness he went to his assistance. Shells from the flak guns were bursting all round him and he was himself wounded in the leg. He completely disregarded the enemy fire and bandaged up the wounded man, giving him morphia. He was himself unable to walk and crawled to cover taking the wounded man. He then continued to fire his rifle until the flak guns were silenced and he was evacuated.

 

His great courage and coolness was a splendid example to all at a particularly dangerous time.

 

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