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| Company Sergeant Major Stanley Hollis VC |
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CSM Stanley Hollis of the British 6th Green Howards was the only soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery on D-Day.
He was twice recommended for the medal for his actions on June 6th.
By single-handedly storming a German pill box and capturing a nearby trench, and later saving two of his company he
earned the highest military honour.
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Hollis's first acts of heroism took place on the beach. During the assault his men were fired upon from a German
pill box. Immediately, Hollis attacked. Firing at the structure, he was able to then able to throw a grenade in
through the door, killing two of the enemy and forcing the remainder to surrender. He then captured a number of Germans
from a nearby trench. These actions undoubtedly prevented the company from suffering attacks from the rear and allowed
them to open the main exit from the beach.
Later, Hollis saved two soldiers trapped in a collapsing house and under enemy fire. By firing on the enemy he was
able to distract the Germans long enough to allow the two soldiers to reach safety.
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| Technician Fifth Grade John J. Pinder, Jr |
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John Pinder, 1st US Infantry Division, was decorated with the Congressional Medal of Honor for carrying important
radio equipment onto the beach while under intense enemy machine gun fire. Despite being severely wounded he ensured sufficient
communication equipment was brought ashore to establish a vital radio link. Unfortunately, Pinder was fatally
wounded as a result of these selfless acts.
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On its journey to the shore Pinder's boat, carrying vital radio equipment, suffered heavy casualties.
Pinder was left to transport the communication pieces onto the beach. Although gravely wounded
he managed to carry an important radio ashore, return to salvage vital parts and equipment and then, despite
being badly wounded in the leg, refused medical attention to recover a second working radio.
Continuing to refuse medical attention or take cover, Pinder helped his colleagues establish a vital communication link.
While doing so his was hit a third time and killed.
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| Major Robert Henry Cain VC |
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Major Robert Cain, South Staffordshire Regiment, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his exhibition of bravery during the Battle of Arnhem (Operation Market Garden).
During this campaign Cain showed coolness and courage under intense enemy fire saving the lives of many fellow soldiers and single-handedly destroying
a number of German tanks. Some experts have been so impressed as to suggest that noone was ever more deserving of the Victoria Cross than Major Cain.
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When Cain joined the battle the Staffords were under heavy attack by tank and heavy guns. By firing mortars at almost point blank range towards the Germans, the British
were able to hold their ground. Cain and Major Jock Buchanan assisted Lieutenant Georges Dupenois in repelling the tanks by drawing fire and providing him with ammunition
for his PIAT gun (low-tech anti-tank gun). Although no tanks were destroyed they were held back until Cain's forces were ordered to retreat.
Over the next few days Cain had further run-ins with German tanks, taking it upon himself to destroy as many as possible.
When the the Stafford's position was approached by two Tiger tanks Cain lay in wait for them with a PIAT gun. The initial exchange left the Major wounded. However by taking refuge in a nearby house
Cain was able to fire upon one tank and disable it, the crew being gunned down as they bailed out. Cain then fired on the second tank. Unfortunately the bomb was faulty and blew up feet from his face
blinding him. After bieng dragged off by his men a 75mm gun was brought forward, blowing the second tank apart.
Half an hour later Cain's sight returned. Ignoring his doctor's advice he declared him slef fit for duty. Arming himself with another PIAT gun he went off in search of tanks, often alone.
As tanks continued to harass the British position Cain would often rush to the fore and set about destroying the enemy vehicle, in one instance only being held back by eventual failure of his
anit-tank gun.
Eventually, his eardrums burst from his constant firing, but he continued to take on any tanks he encountered, contenting himself with merely stuffing pieces of field dressing into his ears.
Three days later German forces again attacked Cain's position. By this time there were no more PIAT's available to the Major. Undeterred, he armed himself with a two inch mortar and added
further trophies to his collection, while his brilliant leadership ensured that the South Staffords gave no ground and drove the enemy off in complete disorder. By the end of the Battle,
Cain had been responsible for the destruction or disabling of six tanks, four of which were Tigers, as well as a number of self-propelled guns.
The conduct of Major Cain throughout was exemplary. Because of his outsranding leadership and actions in battle he was awarded the Victoria Cross; the only man to receive this
medal at Arnhem and live to tell the tale. His citation stated "His coolness and courage under incessant fire could not be surpassed".
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