General Orders 1946 - Fort Benning

citation of the following unlt in the general orders indicated is confirmed under
the provisions of section IV, WD Circular 333,1943, in the name of thc President
of the United States as public evidence of desemed honor and distinctior.. The
citation reads as follows:
The #d Bnilulion, 20th Infontrg Regiment, is cited for outstanding priormanee
of duty in action against the enemy in the Cabaruan Hills, Luzon, Philippine
Islands, during the period 17 to 23 ~anuar~ 1945. On 17 January 1946, the
28 Battalion, 2Olh Znfanlry ReQiment, attacked a Jap defensive area in the
northern part of the Cabaruun Hills an the flank of the main avenue of approach
to the Cenlml Plains of Luzun, Philippine Islands. The enemy force, an infantry
battalion reinforced with artillery and antitank guns, wus elaborately dug in
on a series of low t!ilis and ridges which were covered with masses of hnmboo
and heavy scrub. Approaches to these hill positions were open and offered
little cover lo attacking forces. The enemy's defense was in depth and highly
organized. Sot once during the action did the enemy withdraw from a position,
but on the contrary, chose to die to the last man. For 6 days, the battalion
pushed the attack against fanatical enemy resistance, making costly gaius of
from W to 1,000 yards daily. The wemy could not be shot out of his positions
by artillcry. air bombardment. or heavv mortar fire. hut had to be due - out
and burned out. Assaulting troops, closing in hand-to-hand combat, came under
hen5y fire at mint-hlank range. In one attack, the hatlalion lost two company
commanders, two platoon leaders, and one flrst sergeant killed, By 23 January.
this battalion, despite crippling losses, had secured its assigned objective,
killing 879 laps and destroying or capturing flve 75mm guns, three 37-mm guns,
18 machine guns, 1 tankette, and 1 scout car in the advance. No enemy prisoners
of mar merc taken. The baltulion suffered 46 dead and 105 wounded. Casualties
included four mwnny commanders md two flrst sergeants. By its heroic
action, the hattalion helped clear the way for the rapid advance of American
troow through the Central Valley to Manila. The gallantry, d