During the First Canadian Army advance to the Rhine, 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade, on 2 March 1945, was ordered to seize the northern part of the Hochwald Forest and thus control the vital east-west road through the woods. The enemy, appreciating the strategical value of this route, attempted to deny us access to it by blowing three large craters in the road at the western edge of the forest. Each crater was blown by burying and detonating pairs of 500-pound bombs.
Lieutenant McCloskey, 2 Canadian Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers, with a Sapper platoon and one bulldozer under command, was detailed to open this route for vehicles of the assault battalion and subsequent Divisional traffic. Having personally reconnoitred the position, this officer led his men forward close upon the heels of the attacking infantrymen and commenced work. Completely contemptuous of a bitter battle being waged two to five hundred yards from his position, he quickly devised a temporary route which permitted the forward flow of urgently required battle supplies and the evacuation of many wounded men. / The enemy, becoming aware of what was transpiring, laid in a mortar concentration on these craters, the equal of which is rarely experienced in operations. Through hours of the most intense fire, Lieutenant McCloskey refused to waver from his task and kept his men available to utilize every lull in the mortaring. Always the first to emerge from cover and the last to take shelter in the bitterest periods, he set an example of heroism and perseverance which completely infected all who worked with him. On one occasion when it became impossible to remain above ground, Lieutenant McCloskey noticed six men taking inadequate cover by the roadside. Completely disregarding his personal welfare, he emerged from cover, worked his way out to these men and led them back to a more substantial trench. Even when a fresh Sapper party was brought in to relieve his original crew this officer deliberately chose to remain at his post.
For 15 hours he stayed at the site, subjected to most harrowing fire. He refused to spare himself until this section of the route was suitable for any subsequent traffic. In completing an almost impossible task, Lieutenant McCloskey emphatically contributed to the success of a most important operation and displayed gallantry, tenacity and magnificent leadership worthy of the highest traditions of the Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers.