This Non- Commissioned Officer has been with 4 Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers, for well over a year. Throughout the whole of the time, Lance-Sergeant Leathwood displayed outstanding ability for leadership, and by his unfaltering courage he was always a fine example to the men under his command. On 11 April 1945, 2 Canadian Infantry Brigade made an assault crossing over the Ijssel River. 4 Canadian Field Company was responsible for the construction of a 3, 60 foot bridge at this point. He was in command of a section of engineers and was in charge of the construction of the near approaches to the river and the bank seat. The enemy, in an attempt to deny the crossing of 2 Canadian Infantry Brigade had brought down a heavy concentration of artillery fire on the immediate area of the bridging site. The area in which he was working was not only subject to this heavy artillery fire but was also so exposed as to be in full view of the enemy. Realizing the vital importance of his task, Lance-Sergeant Leathwood, without regard for his own safety, personally supervised every detail of the work being done by his section. His calm determination to complete this task under such hazardous conditions and his steady direction so inspired his men that the work was completed in a very short time. By so doing he contributed largely to the early completion of the bridging which made possible the rapid advance of 2 Canadian Infantry Brigade on to its objective.