General Orders 1946 - Fort Benning

ncar the tank. ,HP charged the automatic wenpan, wiped out its crew of four
with grenades, and, with supreme daring, advanced to within 26 yards of the
armored vehicle, Killing two hostile infantrymen with rifle fire as he moved foryard.
Thc tank had started to withdraw, barking a short distance, then firing,
backing some more, and then stopping to blast out another round, when the man
whose single-handed, relentless attaek had put the ponderous machine on the
defensive was struck and instantly killed hy a direct hit from the Royal Tiger's
heavy gun. -By his intrepidity and extreme demtion to the task of driving the
enemy back, no matter what the odds, Sergeant Gnmmon eleared the wands of
German forces, for the tank continued to withdraw, leaving open the path for
the grrllant squxl lender's platoon.
Private Rirst Class Anthong L. Krotiak (Army serial No. 30300223), an acting
squad leader wlih Company I. 148th Infantry Rcgirnent, Army of the United
States, during an attaek in Baletc Pass, Luarm, Philippine Irlonds, on ,8 Milay
1945, was direct in^ . his men in cunsalidatine - a ncwlv won nosition on Hill B v~hell
the enemy conccntratcd small-alms fire and g~wades upon him and four othrrs,
driring them to cover in an abandoned Janar~ese trench. A grcnnde thrown
from above landcd in the center of the group. Instantly pushing his commdes
aside and jnmming the grenade into the earth with his rifle butt, he threw himself
over it, mnlring a shield of his body to protect the other men. The gennde
exploded undcr him nod he died a fern minutes later. By his extraordinary
heroism in deliberately gi~ing his life to save those of his commdes, Private
Jirotiak set an inspiring example of utter devotion and self-sacrifice which reflects
the highest tmditions of the military servier.
Second Lieutennnt Haw?) J. Xichael, 0929268, Company L, 31Ytll Infantry Regiment,
Army of the United States, was serving as 2. rifle platoon leader when
Comp1~11y L began nn assault on a wooded ridge northerrfit of the rillage of
Xeidcrzerf, Germany, early on 14 March 1045. A short distance up the side of
the hill. Lieutenant Hiofinel, at thc heed of his platoon, heard the click of nn
ellems machinc~gun bolt. Quietly halting thc company. he silently moved into
the Woods and discovered twu enemy machine guns and crews. Executing a
sudden charge, he completely surprised the enemy and captured the guns and
crew. At daybreak, enemy voices were beard in the thick woods ahead. Leading
him p1ato0tI in a flanking movement, they charged tho enemy with hand grenades
and, after n bitter fight, captured 25 members of an SS mountain division, 3 nrtillery
pieces, and 20 horses. While his company was establishing its position,
Lieutenant Michael made two ~e~sonal. reconnaissances of the woods on his left
flank. On the first mission, he killed two, wounded four, and captured slx enemy
soldiers single-handedly. On the second mission, he captured seven prisoners.
During rhe afternoon, he led his platoon in a frontal assault of a line of enemy
pillboxes, successfully enpturing the objective, killing 10 and capruring 30 prisoners.
The folloming morning, the conqnny was subjected to sniper fire and Lieutenant
Michael, in an attempt to find the hidden sniper, was shot and irilled.
The inspiring leadership and heroic aggressiveness displayed by Lieutenant
Michael uphold the highest traditions of the military service.
Technician Fifth Grade Powest E. Pedm (Army serial No. 37503529). Battery
C, 10th Field Artillcry Battalion, Army of the United States, was a forward artillery
observer near Biesheim, France, on 3 Fehruory 1946, when the group of
about 48 infantrymen, with whom he was advancing, was ambushed in the uncertain
light of a waning moon. Enemy forces outnumbering the Americans by four
to one poured withering artillcry, mortur, machine-gun, and smali-arms fire into
AGO 3001B