General Orders 1946 - Fort Benning

defenses, the 1st BattaNon advanced through a heavy concentration of artillery
and mortar fire and across dense minefields to iaunrh the attack. The battalion
suffered heavy losses, including many key leaders, but by nightfall, it suecessfully
occupied strategic positions along the outskirts of the town. On 8 July
1944, the 1st Battalion renewed its vigorous attack while again subjected to
shelling and withering machine-gun fire. Displaying an indomitable fighting
spirit and tenncious afigressiveness, the battalion drove into the city and forced
the defenders to abandon their positions. Although greatly weakened by severe
losscs, the battalion, undaunted and with undiminished courage, pursued the
retreating enemy relentlessly, engaged them in vicious hand-to-haud fighting, and
drove them from the city. The grim determination and courageous actions of
the pcrsollllel of the 1st Botlulion, 514th Infantry Regimeat, in the pressing and
vigorous attack against n stubborn enemy secured a vital commuuieations center
for the subsequent advance of the Allies and reflect grcat crcdit on themselves
and military service. (General Orders 107, Headquarters 79th Infantry Division,
14 December 1944, as approved by the Commanding General, United
Stntcs Army Forces, Eura~ean Theater (Main).)
2. The lalst Ens~neer iambat Battalzon is cited for gallantry and outstanding
performance of duty in action against the enemy on 6 June 1944 On that date,
the battalion participated, with assaulting infantly, in the attack of a fortifled
beach of northern Francc under most hazardous and dlffrcuit conditions. Beginning
its landing with the leading elements of assnuiting infantry, in the fam
of withering enemy fire, all companies of the battalion were landed early in the
day while the beach was still under heavx observed fire of artillery and small
and preparing beach lanes aud n beach-exit with dispatch and cool effiiiency.
The outstanding wrformance of duty by this battalion wns n substantial con-
tribution to the success of the assault operation. The Courage, teamwork, agggres-
siveness, and high esprit displayed by all of its personnel, and the excellent
results accomplished, reflect the highest crcdit on thc military forces of the
United States. (Gencml Orders a, Headquarters 20th Infantry Division, 28
July 1914, as npprwed lly the Conlmnndiug Gcncral, First United States Army.)
IX..LEGION OF ME3lT.-So much of section IV, WD General Orders 58,
1945, as pertains to Colonel Wilfred F. Hall, Air Corps, as reads "Colonel Wilfred
F. HnlP' is amended to read "Colonel Wilford I". Ilall."
X..BRONZE STAR MEDAL.-So much of section VIII, WD General Orders
55,1945, as pertnins to Sergeant Edwawl A. Burns, Medieni Department, as reads
"Octobcr 1944 to January 1945" is arnendcd to read "June 1942 to Januarg.
1945." (This award supersedes the award of the Bronze Star Medal to Sergeant
Bums, for services from 8 June 1942 to 14 October 1944, as published in General
Orders 229, General Headquarters, Cnited States Army Forces. Pacific, 5 Oe-
tober 1945).
By OXDEB OT THE SE~~ABP OF 1V.t~:
Ommra~:
EDWARD F. WITSELL
Major Genel-ol
The Adjutant GenmaE
DWIGHT D. DISENIIOWER
Clbief of Staff