General Orders 1946 - Fort Benning

afire, and left it sinking. In 3 days, the H'ifth Alr Force had coqletely am
nihilated theconvoy, dealiog the most decisive single blow to JapaneRe operatiom
in the Southwest Pacific Area up to that time Without the l a of a single
airplane, the 90th Bombardment Squadron (L) not only played a bemendous
part in the destrnction of the enemy force, but also conclnsively demmstrated
the value of the strafing and skipbombing technique which later became standard
attack nrocedure in the Rifth Air Force. Credit for the souadron's art in tbis
unprvcedenlcd vier ,ry IS h e
n..r only lo ihc I,il,ls and air rrena wlla so inlrt pi,lis
xtuel;Ml 1hc ~0l.w)' irt rlte fac? UP lcrrlfie nttlilircruit lire ant1 ell~mg-ligt.lPr
opposition, but also to the ground crews who kept the bombers in top condition
for comhat and the operations and intelligence personnel who planned the strikes
and briefed the crews. The achievements of the 90th Bmbardncat Squedron
(L) reflect great honor on the United States Army Air Forces. (General Orders
2042, Headquarters Far East Air Forces, 25 September 1945, as approved by
the Commauder in Chief, United States Army Forces, Pacific.)
6. The 895th Engineer ComDat Battalion (Rehforoed) is cited for outstanding
performnnce of duty in action against the enemy from 27 to 29 July 1M, at St L3.
France. Despite heavy enemy artillery fire, aerial bombardment, and strailng
this engineer task force constructed roads, bridges, and otherwise completed a
mute for vehieulor traffic through the completely demolished towa 'Die project
aeervsitnted the removal of large numbers of mines, booby traps, unexploded
bombs, and artillery shells which littered the nroposed route. Normal precau-
tions for disposing of these erploshes could not be tnlrerl because the highly criUcal
bottleneck had to he cleared rapidly. Throueb the heroic and untiring efPorts
of this battalion, reinforced by the 1st P1:rtoon of the 611th Engineer Light Equip
ment. Company, the historic St. Lo break-through wns made possible Approaching
the town, two men were killed while sweeping for mines, a ihird man was
killed by direct enemy artillery fire, and another injured. Bulldozers then went
in, but these were damaged by hostile artillery barmges. The battalion's maintenance
crews repaired the equipment on the spot, while injured operators yere
immediately replaced and the work continued. Direct hits on the completed road
and on the operating equipment further complicated the already ditticult task.
Men worked with little food for up to 36 hours without rest. Considerable electric
arc-welding was required on the dnmaged bridges across the Vire River rrnd
this had to be accomplished during the hours of darkness, which invariably
drew nnrmv flre. Despite enemy action by ailplanes and artillery, Ute task
wns performed without interruption and, at El5 on 29 July, the road Lhrough
the town was opened for vehicular traWe. The esprit de corps exhibited in
this mission by the 296th Engineer Cnnlbat Battalion (Reinforced) reflects
high honor on the participating personnel and is in keeping with the finest
traditions of the combnt engineers. (General Orders 612, Headquarters Saenth
Army, Western Military District, 9 November 1945, as approved by the Cammanding
Gencral, United States Army Forces, IGuropean Theater (Main).)
7. The 347th P4g"ighter @riroup (TE) is cited for outstanding performnnce of duty
in action on 7,20, and 22 November 1044. In November 194.4, when most American
air units were of necessity heing used in the rccouquest of the Philippine
Islands, the Japanese were developing great air and shipping strength in Ole
Makassar area of Celebes. Netherlands East Indies. The 347th Pighter Group
(TE) was given the assignment of attempting to destroy this strong Japnnese
position by mcans of ertreme-range fighter-bomber strikes. In order to reach
the target, the P-~38's of the gmup, then ba~ed on Iiildleburg Island ofE the CW8t
of Dutch New Guinea, would have to fly 935 mile to Uwkaiisar ?in a route still
dominated by the enemy, be prepared to engage in suslained combat at any
AGO 2991B
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