THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT
RIXON Derek Edwin
Service in WW2
206285, Gunner, 16 Field Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery

CITATION
Distinguished Conduct Medal
Gazetted 18 March 1952, Supp 39494, p1545
On 4th November 1951, Gunner Rixon was radio operator on a forward artillery observation post in support of ‘C’ Company, 1st Battalion the King’s Own Scottish Borderers on the Korean front.
At about 2.30 pm on that date, the company position came under heavy artillery and mortar fire, and shortly afterwards enemy infantry attacked, striking at the company area along a ridge from the west.  Under the direction of his Observation Post Officer, Gunner Rixon operated his radio, passing back orders and calls for defencive fire which broke up the initial enemy attack.
About an hour later the enemy fire intensified and enemy infantry again attacked the company position.  Gunner Rixon’s radio was destroyed by shell fire and his line of communication was cut.  When the enemy finally penetrated the company’s defences, he unhesitatingly joined his Observation Post Officer and, armed with grenades, charged through heavy fire to engage at close quarters.  For an hour and a half, during which he was wounded once and his Observation Post Officer three times, Gunner Rixon continued to hurl grenades and made several trips back to the Company Headquarters area to carry up grenades and ammunition.
In spite of being wounded in the head Gunner Rixon made every endeavour to clear the company area of the enemy and desisted only when ordered to withdraw.  He the assisted in carrying his wounded Observation Post Officer to safety through heavy shell and mortar fire, being himself again wounded while doing so.
Gunner Rixon’s devotion to duty, his gallantry and his disregard of heavy and often intense shell and mortar fire were of the highest order and were an inspiration to all in the company area.

KNOWN AWARDS
Distinguished Conduct Medal
1939-45 Star
Defence Medal
War Medal 1939-45
New Zealand War Service Medal
New Zealand Operational Service Medal
Queen's Korea Medal
United Nations Medal
Korea
New Zealand General Service Medal - Warlike
Korea
Coronation Medal 1953
New Zealand Defence Service Medal
Regular
Korea War Service Medal [Korea]

NOTES
Born 15 January 1925, Hastings, New Zealand
Died 31 December 2015 Havelock North, New Zealand