Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Marinier der Eerste Klasse (Lance Corporal)

Awarded on:

December 21st, 1950

Citation:
Distinguished himself in Rotterdam by his courageous conduct in the face of the enemy on 13 May 1940, assigned to a group of marines under the command of a first class marine - which group belonged to a detachment tasked with overpowering the northern end of the traffic bridge over the Meuse, so that the destruction of this bridge could be prepared. When this group arrived at the ramp to the Maas bridge, covered by the ramp, after the group that had already been deployed had stormed the bridge, they were soon met with heavy enemy fire from the rear and the front, as a result of which the group commander of the preceding group was killed and a marine was wounded.
Nevertheless, after some time, they advanced again and, with a first class marine, penetrated furthest onto the bridges, then attempted to push aside a motorbike lying on the bridge, which was obstructing the field of fire of the light machine gun they were carrying, whereupon he again came under heavy enemy fire and the motorbike was hit.
After the machine gunner withdrew alone shortly afterwards and was killed, he held his position for several more hours.
Then, towards evening, he withdrew and joined five remaining marines from the original advance group who had lowered themselves onto a pillar by shifting a plate from the bridge deck and found cover there.
Finally, when on 14 May the enemy bombing of Rotterdam and the impact of aircraft bombs in the vicinity made it desirable to leave the sheltered place under the bridge, jump into the water and, after attempting to reach a ship downstream, which however caught fire, jump back, swim to a ship near the Vier Leeuwenbrug and report back to his unit."

Royal decree no. 82