Handwritten citation for the Military Medal awarded to L/Sgt Harold R. Hammond. HAMMOND, Harold Roy, Corporal (Lance-Sergeant) (K.52143) - Military Medal - Infantry (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada) - awarded as per Canada Gazette and CARO/5304, both dated 27 January 1945. Immediate award; initiated by Lieutenant-Colonel Henry P. Bell-Irving, Commanding Officer, Seaforth Highlanders of Canada; supporte by Lieutenant-Colonel M.P. Bogert, Temporary Commanding 2 Canadian Infantry Brigade; supported by Major-General Chris Vokes, General Officer Commanding 1 Canadian Infantry Division on 7 October 1944 and passed forward on 29 October 1944; supported by Major-General Chris Vokes, Acting Commander 1 Canadian Corps on 30 October 1944 and passed forward on 4 November 1944; endorsed by Lieutenant-General McCreery, General Officer Commanding, Eighth Army on 7 November 1944 and passed forward on 15 November 1944; approved by Field Marshal H.R. Alexander, Supreme Allied Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Theatre. On 26 August 1944, 11 Platoon, "B" Company, the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, led an attack on the town of Passo Alto (Map Reference 8082672 - Reference Map Italy 1:50,000 Sheet 109-11). Heavy shelling and machine gun fire caused considerable casualties but the Platoon Commander, Lance-Sergeant Hammond, the Platoon Sergeant and twelve men succeeded in gaining the objective. Prisoners were captured who gave information which led to the platoon being withdrawn from the town to permit firing of a heavy artillery concentration. On return of the platoon, four men were unaccounted for. In spite of the known enemy strength and our own coming artillery fire, Lance-Sergeant Hammond immediately went back alone to find his men. He got into the town through intense machine gun fire and captured a prisoner by himself. The prisoner gave information that the four missing men were in German hands, so Lance-Sergeant Hammond brought this prisoner back to our lines. Throughout the action Lance-Sergeant Hammond's outstanding gallantry was an inspiration to all ranks which contributed greatly to the eventual complete success of the action. K52143 Cpl. (Sgt) Harold R. Hammond, MM served in the Seaforths from 12 September 1939 to 14 January 1945. He was wounded on 30 January 1944 in Italy.