John Keefer. 0 Mahony
Major, Westminster Regiment. Canadian Infantry Corps
- Register No.
- 824 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Major all Majors →
- Unit
- Westminster Regiment. Canadian Infantry Corps all Westminster Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 24 May 1944 on this day → all of 1944 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 13th July, 1944 on this day → all of 1944 →
- Born
- 30th June, 1911 at New Westminster, British Columbia,
- Died
- the 15th December, 1990 at London, Ontario, Canada
- Memorial / grave
- not known
Digest of citation
On 24th May 1944, Major MAHONEY and his company were ordered to establish the initial bridgehead over the River Melfa, Italy. After this was accomplished, the company, in the face of very heavy enemy fire and attacks, held the position for five hours until they were reinforced by the remaining companies and supporting weapons. Major Mahoney had continued to direct the defence of the bridgehead even though he had been wounded, in the head and twice in the leg, earlier in the action. He refused all medical attention until the situation was established. He became a target of the enemy when they noted that he was the keystone to the defence
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
MAHONY, John Keefer. 0 (reg No. 824).
Major. Westminster Regiment. Canadian Infantry Corps.
London Gazetted on 13th July, 1944.
Born on 30th June, 1911 at New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada.
Died on the 15th December, 1990 at London, Ontario, Canada.
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads: On 24th May 1944, Major MAHONEY and his company were ordered to establish the initial bridgehead over the River Melfa, Italy. After this was accomplished, the company, in the face of very heavy enemy fire and attacks, held the position for five hours until they were reinforced by the remaining companies and supporting weapons. Major Mahoney had continued to direct the defence of the bridgehead even though he had been wounded, in the head and twice in the leg, earlier in the action. He refused all medical attention until the situation was established. He became a target of the enemy when they noted that he was the keystone to the defence.
Additional information:. Major Mahony became the liaison officer at the US Department of the Army in Washington DC in 1954. He was Assistant Adjutant and Quarter Master General for the Alberta area of Canada in 1963.
Additional information
Major Mahony became the liaison officer at the US Department of the Army in Washington DC in 1954. He was Assistant Adjutant and Quarter Master General for the Alberta area of Canada in 1963.
Canada.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: not known
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