On the 25th August 1951, No.1 Troop, 57 Canadian Independent Field Squadron, Royal Canadian Engineers, was engaged in clearing a heavily mined area at a bridging site known as Duckbill, in Korea. The clearing of the site was essential to the construction of a Class 50 M2 ferry crossing. Lance-Corporal McCreary was in charge of the mine clearing party detailed for the task. The party had just completed their work when a sapper unknowingly walked into the bounded and still mined portion of the minefield. Twenty-five yards from the edge of the field he tripped an anti-personnel mine, wounding himself and four other men nearby, including Lance-Corporal McCreary. Without thought to his own safety and in spite of his shrapnel wounds, Lance-Corporal McCreary immediately seized a mine prod and proceeded to clear a narrow path through the minefield to where the sapper lay wounded. When told of his own wounds he replied, "I know" all the while continuing to work diligently to reach his wounded comrade. His quick action in reaching the sapper no doubt saved the life of this soldier.