white scout car

[Bill Alexander]

Several years ago there was a display of Perkins' medals and a diorama of the action at the Melfa in a small museum in Clarksburg (beside Thornbury, now called Blue Mountain I think). It described the Melfa action and his role. Perkins was the one who made the initial crossing and created the bridgehead, but it was Mahony who kept it open over a protracted period of intense fighting.
Both Perkins and Mahony were instrumental in the success, but Perkins was subordinate to Mahony. The role of Mahony over that night and in the early hours of the next day were the things that inspire men to go above and beyond the call. Perkins was a key part in the action. Perhaps in hind sight both should have been awarded the VC, but Perkins did not have the responsibility of Mahony, who was in command of the situation.