Private Michael J McGee DCM

Private Michael John McGee served with 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion, and took part in the Normandy campaign, during Op Overlord.

During the first day of the Battle on 6 June 1944, Private McGee stood up in the open and fired a Bren from the hip at an advancing German tank. This action allowing other men to place gammon bombs on the tank. Despite being killed later in the day, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for his action in Benouville (see citation).

Private McGee died on 6 June 1944, aged 20 years old. He is now buried at Benouville Churchyard, Normandy.

Churchyard photograph reproduced by kind permission of CWGC.