- SURNAME
Stewart
- FORENAME
David James
- UNIT
R.M. 45 Commando
- RANK
Lieutenant (MC), Major (OBE)
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Military Cross, Officer of the Order of the British Empire
- PLACE
Falklands 1982 (MC), New Years Honours 1996 (OBE)
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
resided Swanage, Dorset
age 25
London Gazette 49134, 8th October 1982, Page 12837 (MC)
London Gazette 54255, 29th December 1995, Page 5 (OBE)
CITATION:
Military Cross : Early in the morning of the 9th June Lieutenant Stewart, 45 Commando led a troop strength fighting patrol to the Two Sisters feature in East Falklands with a mission to harass the enemy and cause him casualties. In bright moonlight and across 1000 metres of open ground Lieutenant Stewart led his patrol undetected into the enemy position. Two enemy sentries were killed and for the next 30 minutes a fierce fire fight ensued.
The enemy on the high ground and in position of their choosing were engaged with troop weapons and artillery with great skill, vigour and courage. The returning fire came from several different positions including 3 machine gun posts and artillery. During the withdrawal, Lieutenant Stewart himself gave covering fire to assist his men move across the open ground. There is no doubt that the success of this patrol which killed 7 enemy and sustained no casualties was largely due to the meticulous planning, the exhaustive rehearsals and the outstanding leadership and courage shown by Lieutenant Stewart. The effect on the enemy was shattering and possibly saved many lives of men in his company which attacked the position two days later.
The enemy on the high ground and in position of their choosing were engaged with troop weapons and artillery with great skill, vigour and courage. The returning fire came from several different positions including 3 machine gun posts and artillery. During the withdrawal, Lieutenant Stewart himself gave covering fire to assist his men move across the open ground. There is no doubt that the success of this patrol which killed 7 enemy and sustained no casualties was largely due to the meticulous planning, the exhaustive rehearsals and the outstanding leadership and courage shown by Lieutenant Stewart. The effect on the enemy was shattering and possibly saved many lives of men in his company which attacked the position two days later.
WEB LINKS:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/49134/supplement/12837 (MC)https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/54255/supplement/5 (OBE)
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