General Orders 1946 - Fort Benning

2. Company R, 137th Inlandry Reghmd, is cited for outstandlng performance
of dutv in action against the enemv at Saarcuemlnes. France. on 10 December
B crossing of the Saar River against heavy enemy opposition, and in a brilliant
flanking moremeot, executed under heavy enemy tlre of all tms, its left assault
platoon fell upn a mttery plant while the right assault platoon deployed far an
attack from the reaa Saa~gneminrs aas defended by a network of pillboxes,
trenches, and sntltank obstacles, and the pottery plant itself constituterl the key
to the southern and eastern defenses of the city. One saund of the left assault
platoon advanced into a factory building while the remainder of the platoon was
pinned dowo by withering lire inside the plant. The squad entering the building
employed small arms and hand grenade to engage the enemy in a bitter tlght,
w'oich relieved the nressure on tbe trooos -. oinned down outside the buildine. -
During an intense 4-hour flre fight, Companv F ensaged two det~rmiued companies
of 58 troops which occupied the ptlery ~. plant sod enoirms in closcin and handto-hand
fighting among the maze of machinery, pottery baking nvena. and display
sheIvee. In the fury of this action, the troaps at Cornpanu 1,' emplosedl in addition
to thFir fire arms, hand grenades, trench knl~es, bayonets, and eTen pottery
pieces. Enemy troops flecing from the pressure of the left aranult platoon into
another building were surprised by the right platoon which had entered the factory
from the rear. After recovering from the initial shock, the enemy, with superior
numbers, counterattacked the right assault platoon but the support platoon,
with superb timing, crushed the counterattack. The enemy then increased the
intensity of his artillery, tank, self-propelled, and 20-mm fire on the attacking
forces. 11repamtor~ to launching a full scale counterattack. However, the com-
iost 13 enlisted men vounded. he enemy lost 45 killed, 75 captured, and 26
wounded. The company aceompiished its assigned task under intense enemy
artillery and small-arms flre, in disreenrd - of Personal safety and against . a determined
enemy in superior numbers arid oceupyi~g strong defensive positions. The
action is an outstznding example of grow daring and courage. The extraordinary
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heroism, exemplary skill, inspiring resourcefulness, and superior initiative displayed
in this erueinl ope ratio^ refleet the highest credit on the officers and men
of Company P, 137th Infantry Begiment, and oo the military service of the United
States. (General Orders 60. Headquarters 35th Infantry Division, 19 November
1945. as approved by the commanding General, United States arm^ Forces,
European Theater (Main) .)
3. The Shore Battalion, 598d Enginerr Roat and Shore Regiment, is cited for
outstanding performance of duty in netion against the enemy in the Admiralty
Islands from 2 to 6 March 1944. On 2 March 1944, this battalion Landed on
Whitc Bench, Los Negrof Island, as an element of the task force. Its mission
was entirely an engineering project which consisted of clearing the beach, bullding
ramps out to amyhibiuus craft, constructing a beach road net, developing
beach dumps, and, with attached units, unloading troops, equipment, and supplies.
Within 30 minutes after lauding and while still in the process of organizing
the beachhead, the heach was subjected to enemy motar and suiper
fire which continued spasmodically throughout the day. Despite numerous casunlties.
hernuse of Little or' no cover, this unit carried on with courageous determination
and complete disregard of danger to accorrtplish its missicm. Only
AGO 30960