HELMBRIGHT Leonard

811123, Private, 28 (Maori) Battalion, WW2

CITATION

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Gazetted 8 May 1945, Supp 37072, p2455

Private Helmbright showed outstanding courage and resourcefulness during an attack on 24 July 1944 in the advance to the Pesa River, Italy.  When his section commander was wounded, Private Helmbright took command of the section and attacked three enemy machine-gun posts.  With a light machine gun he went forward under heavy machine-gun fire directed at him and wiped out single-handed two of the three enemy posts.  It was this gallant deed that enabled the platoon to move forward. Through this and subsequent actions he showed devotion to duty, courage and determination of the very highest order

KNOWN AWARDS

Distinguished Conduct Medal

1939-45 Star

Italy Star

Defence Medal

War Medal 1939-45

New Zealand War Service Medal

NOTES

Born 27 January 1920, Te Kaha, New Zealand

Died

THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT