WS/Lieut., T/Capt. Daniel John PULLEN (229617)
Dan Pullen was recommended by Lieut.-Col. M. R. J. Hope-Thomson on the 26th February 1945 for an immediate Military Cross.
Military Cross (London Gazette date 3rd May 1945)
“On the morning of 16th February, during Operation VERITABLE 1 WORC R. was ordered to attack SOUTH of CLEVE. However as this officers Company approached the FUP, it found the area subjected to the heaviest mortar, shell and machine gun fire and dominated by a group of farm buildings converted into a strongpoint that had already warded off two attacks. The Company was ordered to attack. Continuously under fire, Lieut. PULLEN took his Platoon round the flank to a suitable assaulting position. Then in the face of fire from extremely short range he personally led the leading section in the assault and secured a foothold in the buildings. Inspired by his dash, his fearlessness, his complete unconcern for danger, the rest of the Platoon followed him in to clean up this locality. In this action 15 enemy were killed, 18 captured and 10 Spandau’s were knocked out.
Without the capture of these buildings the Battalion would never have been able to attack. As it was, owing to the speed and conclusiveness of this action, the Battalion reached its objective before due and with the minimum of casualties. Though it was his first time with a Platoon in action, Lieut. PULLEN at a critical moment, by his quick decision, his brilliant example and his bravery in excess of his normal duty, ensured a clean start for the bigger op.”
Dan Pullen was born at Portsmouth 27th August 1921.
He was commissioned into the Royal Regiment of Artillery on the 19th March 1942. He transferred to the Hampshire Regiment on the 26th October 1944. He joined the 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment at Hochheid, Germany on the 16th January 1945. He was awarded the Territorial Efficiency Medal on the 25th June 1948.
He died in Portsmouth in March 2004, age 82.
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