Lance Sergeant John O'Reilly was awarded the Military Medal whilst serving in 1st Special Boat Squadron having left the Commando.

On the night of 23rd April 1944, this NCO together with one Officer and ten ORs entered a house occupied by approximately 30 of the enemy.

In the intense close quarter engagement which followed, this NCO conducted himself with coolness and complete disregard for his personal safety. Kicking in the doors of the living quarters, he threw grenades into the rooms in the face of considerable enemy fire, encouraging and directing the return fire of his own men.

Throughout the engagement he was master of the situation, and did not finally leave the building until he was certain that all the occupants had been either killed or wounded.

Throughout this operation, the courage and personal example shown by this man was of the highest order.