Citation for the Medal of Freedom
With Bronze Palm
Ensign Nancy Wake, British National, FANY, for exceptionally meritorious achievement which aided the United States in the prosecution of the war against the enemy in Continental Europe, from March 1944 to October 1944. After having been parachuted into the Allier department of France for the purpose of coordinating Resistance activities, she immediately assumed her duties as second-in-command to the organiser of the circuit. Despite numerous difficulties and personal danger she, through her remarkable courage, initiative and coolness succeeded in accomplishing her objective. Her daring conduct in the course of an enemy engagement safeguarded the lives of two American officers under her command. Her inspiring leadership, bravery and exemplary devotion to duty contributed materially to the success of the war effort and merit the praise and recognition of the United States.
GO 3. Hq USFET, 9 January 1947
APPENDIX 2
Complement of Maquis Groups for which Nancy Wake was Chef du Parachutage
Group
Number of men in Group
Commander Fabre
300
Corps France. Issoire
150
ALLIER
Chazemais
440
Cérilly
440
St Plaisir
450
Montmarault
800
Moulins (Cdt. Barbaroux)
360
Lapalisse
850
Montluçon
650
Ambert (MUR)
700
Ambert (FTPF)
800
Pontgibaud
400
St Gervais
300
Resin
300
Aigueperse
300
Sauxillanges
250
Ambert
600
Thiers
150
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Russell Braddon was born in Sydney in 1921. In addition to The Naked Island , his bestselling memoir of four years spent as a prisoner of war during the Second World War, he also wrote a number of biographies, novels, histories and TV scripts. He lived in Britain from 1949 until 1993, and died in New South Wales in 1995.
Nancy Wake: World War Two’s Most Rebellious Spy Page 26
