Lance-Sergeant Richard Henry Steen M.M.

During the action at the bridge BM 45Z in the BONCHAUNG gorge on 15 April 1944 this N.C.O. was ordered by his platoon commander to take a bren gun into action to cover one of the platoon sections which was being subjected to heavy fire. This he did, and in doing so exposed himself to intense fire, but he remained cool and collected and inflicted several casualties on the enemy. During this period he was wounded, shot through the buttock, but he stuck to his post and later, when withdrawn, he refused to leave his section to return to the R.A.F. and he took part in the battle which took place the following morning. Disengagement was followed by a two day march. His action was undoubtedly largely contributary to the success of the battle on the evening of the 15 April 1944.