Lieutenant John Francis Nixon was awarded the Military Cross in recognition of gallant and distinguished service at Bova Marina, Italy [1][1a].

28.12.1945 relinquished commission account of disability. Granted honorary rank Captain [2].

Member of the Commando Association residing Sydney, New South Wales, Australia [3].

During the operations in Calabria between 26 August and 5 September 1943, this officer distinguished himself by leading a fighting patrol into Bova Marina on 27 August and capturing a prisoner.

On the next night he was landed with 6 O.R.'s and a wireless set near the same place to report enemy military activities. He took part in ambushing 5 lorries full of Italian troops. Later wishing to collect some rations and wireless equipment which he thought had been left on the beach, he determined to do so although it entailed the destruction of an Italian post manning a bridge. He captured 9 Italian soldiers and destroyed their weapons and collected the stores from the beach. He later captured 20 Italians who came to the farm where he had installed his wireless. While he was destroying their weapons he was attacked by a patrol of 20 Germans and lost 3 of his men, but succeeded in getting the rest away.

On the night of 31 August having contacted his C.O. in the meanwhile, he led a patrol of 12 men into Bova Marina with orders to take a prisoner and some captured maps to Sicily. Finding no suitable boat he managed to get his patrol away into the hills before daylight.

On 5 September 1943 he succeeded in joing 13 Corps.

Throughout these operations this officer showed initiative when he was acting independently, and when he was with his C.O. proved cool and confident [1a].