John P. Medd

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to John P. Medd, Major, Royal British Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy in action against enemy forces on 8 February 1945. During the advance of the 147th Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps, from Groesbeek to the Reichswald Forest, the squadron of which Major Medd was in charge encountered an enemy antitank ditch made almost impassible by weather conditions. To wait would have jeopardized the operation. Placing his squadron in firing positions, Major Medd charged with his own tank and, when across, he dismounted and directed the rest of the unit over the ditch while constantly exposed to enemy fire. His courage, leadership and aggressive determination contributed to a great degree to the continued advance of the infantry and the expeditious reduction of the enemy position.