Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

‘... the battle of Mount Longdon was won to a considerable extent by the persistence and determination of a relatively small group of soldiers who continued to slug it out for dominance against a well-entrenched enemy. In reports and reminiscences of the battle, the same names crop up again and again: McKay, McLaughlin, Weeks, Fuller, Gough, Gray, Pettinger. They represent a litany of uncompromising professionalism and focussed aggression.’
(Green-Eyed Boys, 3 Para and the Battle for Mount Longdon, by C. Jennings and A. Weale, refers)


The important Falklands War D.C.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant, later Captain, J. S. Pettinger, 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, who distinguished himself on countless occasions whilst serving as Patrol Commander D (Patrol) Company during 11 days of operations in and around the Mount Longdon area. Pettinger’s D Company were the ‘eyes and ears’ of 3 Para, and carried out extensive close target reconnaissance in and amongst enemy lines - in order to provide accurate descriptions of routes onto the objective, and detailed information on enemy strengths and locations prior to the assault on Mount Longdon.

Pettinger and his men ‘ghosted’ in and out, ‘We worked our way into the enemy positions and around to the north of the rocks, cautiously probing in where we could. Numerous enemies were seen and heard, often only a few metres away, and machine gun and mortar positions were found and noted.... I eventually checked my watch to see it was almost 04:30; we were still on the enemy position having been there for about 5 hours.

I took the decision to place our weapons down by our sides and just walk off the position heading north; a tactic used in Northern Ireland years before. To our surprise and fright, we discovered we had walked through several occupied enemy trenches with men talking. Nobody stopped us. Once clear, we ran as fast as possible back westwards towards our first RV.’

During the preparation for the attack on Mount Longdon Sergeant Pettinger completed six close target reconnaissances against the objective, and once completed, ‘On the night of 11th/12th June, Sergeant Pettinger acted as a guide for B Company for their part in the battalion night attack onto Mount Longdon and was able to place them in such a good starting position that the attack came as a complete surprise to the enemy. Once the battle had commenced he was a constant source of information and advice to the Company Commander, while acting with dash and determination during the many assaults against strong points on that night, killing at least three enemy.’

Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (24159222 Sgt J S Pettinger Para); U.N. Medal, on UNFICYP ribbon; General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (24159222 Pte. J. S. Pettinger Para); South Atlantic 1982, with rosette (24159222 Sgt J S Pettinger Para) name and unit partially officially corrected; Jubilee 2002, unnamed as issued ; Volunteer Reserves Service Medal, E.II.R. (Capt J S Pettinger RAMC) mounted as originally worn, with named card boxes of issue for last two medals, generally very fine or better (6) £100,000-£120,000

---

D.C.M. London Gazette 8 October 1982:

‘Sergeant Pettinger is a Patrol Commander D (Patrol) Company 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment. On the nights of the 2nd/3rd June Sergeant Pettinger was Commander of one of a number of patrols tasked to gain information about enemy forces holding Mount Longdon.

Sergeant Pettinger’s mission was to recce routes onto Mount Longdon with the aim of placing a rifle company in the best possible position for a night assault later. This meant closing with the enemy who at times were only a few metres away in order to gain his information. This he did with great success on four occasions over the two nights, displaying a high standard of skill and coolness, knowing that capture would lead to the compromise of the battalion plans. The information gained led to him being able to produce accurate descriptions of routes onto the objective, detailed information on enemy strengths and locations, and on the night of 8 June to lead a platoon along the assault route in a rehearsal for the planned attack. Once again he closed with the enemy, gained further information, and cleared more routes, again with great coolness. On the night of 11th/12th June, Sergeant Pettinger acted as a guide for B Company for their part in the battalion night attack onto Mount Longdon and was able to place them in such a good starting position that the attack came as a complete surprise to the enemy. Once the battle had commenced he was a constant source of information and advice to the Company Commander, while acting with dash and determination during the many assaults against strong points on that night, killing at least three enemy. During the preparation for the attack on Mount Longdon Sergeant Pettinger completed six close target reconnaissances against the objective. He displayed the highest standards of professional skill, alertness, accuracy of reporting, coolness in the face of the enemy as well as courage during the actual assault.’

John Stuart Pettinger was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, and joined the Army in September 1968 at the age of 15 as a Junior soldier of The Parachute Regiment. He spent two years serving with the Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion at Oswestry, after which he completed ‘P Company’. Pettinger was posted to the 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment in early 1971, and he provides the following previously unpublished detailed and graphic account of his operational service:

‘I was initially due to serve with 2 Para, however the under 18 rule had just been imposed for troops in Northern Ireland (NI) which resulted in getting posted to 3 Para instead.

During 1972, after a very arduous physical and mental selection phase in South Wales, I joined D (Patrol) Company 3 Para, (also known as Patrol Company). I stayed with the Company several years and returned as a Sergeant in 1981 after various postings; including numerous tours in NI both on the border and in Belfast with the Company (Coy) and also as a Corporal instructing recruits at Browning Barracks, Aldershot for two years during 1976-78, which was both enjoyable and fulfilling. Additionally, I had two tours in Malaya and attended the Jungle Warfare Instructor Course.

In 1978 I attended the SAS selection and after a month of arduous training I had to withdraw due to injuries. However instead of being ‘Returned to Unit” (RTU’d) which was the normal action for injuries, I was kept on at Hereford, helping out on the Training Wing and was to await the next selection phase. After approximately a month I was directed to attend the selection for what was commonly known as ‘The Det’ or ‘14 Intelligence Company’ and now is officially named the Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR; part of the UK Special Forces). I passed the difficult selection phase and was deployed as an Operator for the next couple of years. Skills learnt from this work I utilised and taught later on, both wi...