General Orders 1946 - Fort Benning

the stricken unit from the flanks, forcing our men to seek the cover of a ditch
which they found already occupied by enemy foot troops. As the opposing
infnntrymen struggled in hand-to-hand combat, Corporal Peden courageously ,
Oent to the assistance of two woonded soldiers and rendered first aid under heavy
fire. With radio communications mogeratire, he renlized that the unit would he
wiped out unless help could he secured from the rear. On his own initiative,
hc ran 500 yards to the hattnlion command post through a hnil of bullets, which
pierced his jacket, and there secured two light tanks to go to the relief of his
hard-prcssed comrades. Knowing th? terrible risk iilrolvcd, he climbed upon the
hull of the lead tank and guided it intc bxttle. Through a murderous cooeentration
of fire, the tank lumbered onward, bullets and shell fragments ricocheting
from its steel armor within inches of the complctcly esposerl rider, until it
renc:hed the ditch. As it was about to go into netion, it was turned into n flaming
- -~ wre by a direct hit which killed Ccrgoral Peden. However, his intre~idity
and g&'t sacrifice mere not in vhin. dttrnctcd by the light from thc hGning
tank, reinforcements found the beleaguered Americans and drove off the enem1.
by the War Department to General of the Army Hnnry H. Amold, as published
in \VD General Orders 51, 1942, and a bronze Oak-Leaf Cluster as published in
WD General Orders 92, 1915, a second bronae 0:rk~Leaf Cluster for exceptiunnlly
meritorious and distingnished services in thc perfornlance of duties of great
responsibility during the period indicated was awarded to him by the War
Deparlmcnt undcr the provisions of the act of Congress approved 9 July 1918
(WD Bul.. 43, 1918). The citation is ns follows:
General of the Arum Henrv X. Amold. 0225% United Slates Arrnr. Uarch
19t2 to Kovember 1915.
2. By direction of the President, in addition to the Distinguished-Service Xedal
nwardcd by tthc War Dcpartmellt to Major General Benjoritin F. Gilas, as published
in WD General Orders 53,1943, a bronze Oak-Tknf Cluster for exceptionally
meritorious and distinguished services in the performance of duties of great
res~)onsibility during the period indicated rras awarded to him by thc War Department
under the pro7isions of the act of Congress approved 9 July 1915 (WD
Bul. 43, 1918). The citation is as follows:
Zlujor General Benjamin F. Gile?, 08211, United States -4rmy. February 1044
to Dcccmber 1945.
3. By direction of the President, in addition to the DistinguishebSerriee Medal
awarded by the War Dcpnrtmcut to Major General Hsyh J. Gaffeg, ns published
in WD General orders-29, 1913, a bronze Oak-Leaf bluster for ex&ptionaliy
meritorious and distinguished serrices in the perfnrmnnce of duties of great
respensibility during the period indicated was xanrded to him by the War Dcpartment
under the pmuisions of the net of Congress approved 9 July 1918 (WD
Bul. 43, 1918). The citation is as follo~~s:
Major General Hugh J. Gaffcy, 05435, United states Amy. March 1044 to
March 1945.
4. By direction of the President, in addition to the Dtstingrlished-Service Medal
awarded by the War Debartmerit to General of the Arms George C. Marshall,
as published in R7D General Orders 110, 1919, a bronze Oak-Leaf Cluster for
exceptionally meritoriou~ and distingui~hed services in the performanee of
dulies of great respnsibility during the period indicated was awarded to him
AGO 3091B
.