🇨🇦 WW II uncovered Tommy Prince: The Soldier Who Fooled the Germans and Became One of Canada's Most Memorable Heroes
🇨🇦 WW II uncovered Tommy Prince: The Soldier Who Fooled the Germans and Became One of Canada's Most Memorable Heroes.
"Tommy Prince enlisted in June 1940, at the age of 24, and began his wartime service as a sapper with the Royal Canadian Engineers. After two years with the RCE, he answered a call for paratrooper volunteers, and by late 1942, was training with the 1st Canadian Special Service Battalion."
"On February 8, 1944, near Littoria, Italy, Reconnaissance Sergeant Prince was spying on the Germans. An abandoned farmhouse some 200 metres from the enemy served as his observation post, and 1,400 metres of telephone wire connected him to the force. He had a clear view of the enemy's artillery emplacements and promptly reported them."
"During what would become a 24-hour solo watch, Prince's communication line was severed by shelling. Unfazed, the sergeant donned civilian clothing, grabbed a hoe and, in full view of German soldiers, acted like a farmer weeding his crops.
He slowly inched his way along the line until he found where it was damaged, then, pretending to tie his shoelaces, quickly rejoined the wires. His reporting continued and so did the damage to enemy artillery posts. In all, four German positions were destroyed, and Prince had earned the Military Medal.
As his citation explains, "Sergeant Prince's courage and utter disregard for personal safety were an inspiration to his fellows and a marked credit to his unit." (Veterans Affairs Canada Database)
"When the fighting in Southern France was over, Prince was summoned to Buckingham Palace, where King George VI decorated him with both the Military Medal and, on behalf of the president of the United States, the Silver Star with ribbon. Tommy Prince was one of 59 Canadians who were awarded the Silver Star during the Second World War."
"After the war Prince returned to Canada and started a very prosperous small business. He also was elected chairman of the Manitoba Indian Association in 1946. Tommy returned to active military service during the Korean War.
Now a member of the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry He was present when the unit became the first Canadian unit awarded the United States Presidential Unit Citation for distinguished service in the Battle of Kapyong on April 24–25, 1951." (Veterans Affairs Department of Canada)
Pictured: Sergeant Tommy Prince (Right) with his brother, Private Morris Prince, at an investiture at Buckingham Palace in February 1945. (Photo: Library and Archives Canada / PA-142289)
During his lifetime, Tommy received many accolades for his heroism. Many buildings and army barracks have been named in his honor.
Sergeant Tommy Prince passed away on November 25, 1977 in Winnipeg Canada. He was 62 years old. Tommy lies in rest at Brookside Cemetery Winnipeg, Greater Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Lest We Forget.
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