Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Major

Unit:

1st Battalion Green Howards, 15th Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Division, British Army

Awarded on:

September 21st, 1944

Citation:
"On the occasion of the breakout from the ANZIO Bridgehead on the 23rd May 1944, 1 Green Howards launched an attack onto the left coastal sector of the enemy positions. Major Hewitt was commanding "D" Coy. This Coy was leading assault Coy and had been given the difficult task of making the initial crossing over the River MOLETTA followed by the subsequent assault over unknown anti-personnel minefields, to the first key objective.
The assault was a success and 27 prisoners were taken, but the Coy arrived on its objective with only 30% of its original strength. Throughout the day the position held by "D" Coy was constantly shelled and machine gunned from the right flank and despite the provision of reinforcements, casualties continued to be heavy. At 2000 hrs the enemy launched a heavy counter-attack which drove in the forward Company and by sheer weight of number surrounded "D" Company.
Knowing that his orders were to hold on at all costs, Major Hewitt rallied the remnants of his Company which now included elements of the forward Company, a section of 2 Northamptons and a Platoon of 7 Cheshires, and succeeded in beating the enemy who withdrew to a position about 100 yards in front of "D" Company, keeping up MG fire and throwing grenades during the remainder of the night.
When orders were eventually received to withdraw his Company across the MOLETTA Major Hewitt organised his force into parties and successfully achieved a daylight withdrawal of some 70 men across the river within 25 yards of an enemy machine gun post. By throwing every HE and smoke grenade that they possessed the force reached the South bank closely pursued by the enemy, and with the loss of only 5 men wounded and subsequently evacuated.
Throughout the entire action Major Hewitt showed outstanding leadership and resource and it was due to his constant encouragement at times when the situation was gravest that his very depleted force managed to drive off and hold its own against a very superior force of GERMAN para Troopers."

Recommendation drawn up by Lt-Col M.J. Perreau CO 1st Green Howards on 14 June, 1944