General Orders 1946 - Fort Benning

WAR DEPARTMENT
Wnsnrrror~ 25, D. 0.. 20 April 1946
BATTLIC AONOKS--Citations of units --..---.... ........................... 111
I..DISTINGUISHED-SERVICE CROSS.-By direction of the President, under
the provisions of the net of Congress aDproved 9 July 1918 (WD Bul. 43. Itlls),
the Distinguished-Service Cross for extraordlnary heroism in action against an
enemy was swarded by the War Department to the following-named officer:
Major Eric 6. Kearalev, British Ann& on 9 September 1943, near Salerno,
Italy, accompanied his commanding omcer on a reconnaissance to select positions
to prevent enemy penetration along a highway inta the town. Having
found sultnble sites, they sent their vehicle back to collect company guldes. When
the vehicle on its return trip was stopped by a road black, they realieed that
they were bebind the enemy hnes. A decision was made to return, worlting their
may around the enemy flank, but Major Bearsley elected to remain with the
hope of rescuing his men. Within a few minutes, using only his revolver, he
captured three mcmhcrs of the road block crew who were moving back from
their nosition and. shortlv after. 5ve others who followed. He then advanced
on the road block arid captured the three remaining Germans, killing one who
had fired upon him. Directing the Qerman driver to atlach the crew's weapon
to the raptured half-track, he ordered his prisoners into the vebicle and, sitting
in its rear, returned to the safety of his lines, towing an 88-mm gun and carrying
10 prisoners and 3 machine guns. Major Keurnle,,'~ courageous and heroic actions
reliect credit on himself and the military service.
ZI..LEGION OF MERIT (0AK.LEAF CLUSTER).-By direction of the Presi-
dent, in aadition to the Legion of Merit awarded to Major Joseph Bonflglio, as
published in General Orders 54, Mediterranean Theater, 26 Marc11 1945, a bron!ce
Oak-Leaf Cluster for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of out-
StandiriE services during the period indicated was awarded to him by the War
Department under the provisions of the act of Congress approved 20 July 1942
(sec. 111, WD Bul. 40, 1942) and Exectuive Order 9260, 29 October 1942 (sec. I,
WD Bnl. 54,1942). The citation is as fallows:
Major Joseph Bonfiylio, 01285697 (then captain), Infantry, Army of the United
States. October 1944 to Ilrp,v 1945.
IIILBATTLE HONORS.-As authorized by Executive Order 0396 (sec. I, WD
Bul. 22, 1943). superseding Rxecntive Order 9075 (sec. 111, Bul. 11, 1942).
citations of the follawirlg units in the general orders indicated are confirmed
under the provisions uf section IV, WD Circular 333, 1943, in the name of the
President of the United States as public evidence of deserved homr and distinction.
The citations rend as fallows:
1. The Ed Bquadron, 8th Caually, reinforced by Reconnaissance Platoon, Headpuorters
Troo~, Bd Cauulrp Brigade; Reconnaissance Platoolz, 8th Caualrg;
Battery B, 61et Field Artillwy Battalion: 1st Platom, Troop 0, 8th Enginser
Gqudron; ed Platoon, ad Collecting Troop. 1st Medical Squadron: Detachment,
Z7th Ordnunce Cornpony: and Company B, 44th Tank Buttulion, is cited for outstanding
performance of duty in action against ibe enemy at Luzon. Philippine
Islands, from 31 January 1' 3 February 1946. Assigned the mission of spearhcaaing
the drive of the Ed Cacalw Brigads inta Manila, the 2d Sqaadron, 8th
Gaoolry, reinforced by Reco>~noissance Platom, Iieadquorlers Troop, Bd OuualrtI
AGO SOVZB-Apr. 688781'-46