Staff Sergeant Dennis "Mike" Gerard McLaughlin was one of only ten Canadians to have been awarded the Military Medal twice during the Second World War.
Born in Edmonton in 1917, Mike joined the Canadian Armed Forces just after the beginning of the Second World War and was assigned to the 10th Field Squadron of the Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE). Deployed to Italy in the Fall of 1943, he sustained serious injuries in February 1944 but went on to serve with distinction through the remainder of the War.
Sergeant McLaughlin earned the Military Medal in both Italy and the Netherlands. The Italian Campaign saw Sergeant McLaughlin and 3 Troop of 10th Field Company involved in the attack on Coriano Ridge from 12 to 13 September 1944. Coriano Ridge was a key defensive position overlooking the route to the Adriatic coast and Rimini. Its capture was critical to breaching the German Gothic Line, the last significant German defence position in Italy. With all other bridges destroyed, 10th Field was tasked with opening two crossings over the Besanica River to allow armour to support the 11th Canadian Infantry Brigade. Under machine-gun and mortar fire, Sgt McLaughlin took the initiative and personally directed the completion of the construction work. This enabled Allied armour to support beleaguered infantry forces and secure victory. The capture of Coriano Ridge opened the eastern flank of the Gothic Line and led to the liberation of Rimini a week later. For his actions, Sergeant McLaughlin received his first Military Medal.
Sergeant McLaughlin continued to distinguish himself throughout the war, earning his second citation the following year during the liberation of Holland. On 1 May 1945, 10th Field Squadron was engaged in the advance towards Delfzijl, a fortified town on the north coast. The sappers supported the infantry by clearing mines and constructing bridges and roads. Near the village of Heveskes, Sergeant McLaughlin encountered a heavily mined crater which was preventing the further advance of the brigade’s tanks and carriers. Whilst under heavy enemy fire, Sergeant McLaughlin led the clearing of mines from the crater, allowing tanks to pass through and support the infantry in Heveskes. The attack pushed on into Delfzijl, liberating it days before Germany’s final surrender. Sergeant McLaughlin’s actions earned him a bar for his Military Medal.
After the war, Sergeant McLaughlin returned home to Canada and continued to serve with the Royal Canadian Engineers. He deployed to serve in the Korean War with 23rd Field Squadron RCE.
Staff Sergeant McLaughlin retired in 1968 while serving with No. 3 Engineer Stores Depot in Petawawa. The Base Construction Engineering headquarters building at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa is named in his honour, enabling his example of service and sacrifice to inspire those who have come after him
