Award of the Military Medal
to
Corporal John James Cunningham, 17th January, 1945.

Citation
   Corporal Cunningham has been commanding a tank through all his squadron’s engagements, once losing his tank from a direct A.P. hit but bringing his crew safely back to his own lines. On many occasions he has taken over command of a strange crew and at all times inspired confidence in his men. He was finally wounded in the battle for Forli on 10 November.
    On 3 September he was the leading tank to force a crossing over River Conca. An S.P. opened up on him and he was pinned in the shelter of a group of farm houses under continuous shell fire and A.P. shot for two hours. On 15 September he led the attack on Petrigeano reaching the objective, a cemetery, and doing valuable O.P. work in an extremely exposed position. Heavy shelling and sniping made movement almost impossible. He remained there all night and staved off a counter attack. He was withdrawn early next day but the same evening accompanied by a half squadron in an attack on Ceresola. There was very heavy shelling on the objective all day but Corporal Cunningham, despite the unpleasant sniping, visited on foot his Platoon Commander and tied up his counter-attack plans. He again remained in close support of his infantry all that night, having been under shell fire almost continuously for 48 hours.
   On 3 October he was leading tank in an attack on Roncofreddo. On the 16th, when rain and mud held up the advance so badly, he made supreme efforts to advance on many occasions recced routes and led the tanks through almost impossible obstacles.
   Finally, on 10 November he did magnificent work in the capture of Forli, once again being leading tank, killing many Germans and rescuing wounded men.
During the whole period of fighting Corporal Cunningham has shown great powers of leadership, courage and initiative.

Transcribed from a copy of Army Form making the recommendation.

Recommended by
Lieutenant-Colonel A.W.A.Llewellen-Palmer, D.S.O. M.C., Commanding Officer North Irish Horse.

Endorsed by
Brigadier D. Dawnay, D.S.O., Commander 21st Tank Brigade.

Approved by
Lieuteant-General R.L.McCreery, General Officer Commanding, 8th Army.],

London Gazette Record
Issue: 37151 Date: 28.8.45 Page: 3378.
which view.

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