General Orders 1946 - Fort Benning

Brigade; Recomaissame Platoon, 8th Gasdry; Battery B. 61et P&ld Artillery
Battalion; 1st Platoon, Troop 0, 8th JJngineer Byuedron; %d Platoon, 2d Oullectinf
Troop, 1st Medical Eguadron; Detachment, 27th Ordnance Gumpanu; and
Gompaw B, 44th Tank Battalion, moved out as a completely motorized "flying
squadron" from Sau Roque, over 100 miles from Manila, early in the morning
of 1 February 1945. Pushing forward aggressirely through the Japanese lines
at Cabanatwan, the squadrun reached Nuvaliches, a barrio 10 miles northeast of
Manila, late in Lhe nftei-noon of 3 February. Here Japanese revislance stiffened,
as the enemy, surprised by this unexpected advance ta threaten his stronghold
in the city, franctically and fanatically defended his strong position behind the
Tuliahin River. The resistance at Noraliches was neutralized quickly and bypassed,
as the inspired force drove forward ruthlessly toward its two main
objecti~es in Manila: Malacman Palace. seat of the Jananese-dominated Cornmonu'eaith
Government, and Santo Tumas University, where some 3,700 Allied
internees were held motive by the euems. Entering Manila at 1840, 3 February,
one troop reinforced, quickly seized Malacanan Palace, which it held despite
Japanese counterattaclrs. The balance of the force, with a large part of the
remaining troops closely engaged and cut aL from the remainder at the Far
Eastern University, nevertheless pushed its attack to hasten the liberation of
the now threatened internees at Santn Tomas University. While enemy troops
inside the university grounds, fighting from buildings occupied by internees,
covered all routes of un~roach . - wiLh machine euns, grenades. and rifle fire, the
small force crashed through the barricaded iron gate. A short time later, juir~ed
by the force that had fought its way thrnngh the Jnpauese positions at the Far
Eastern University, the syundrou quirkly destroyed the Japanese garrison, with
the exception of 70, who because they were barrieaded in one of the buildings
and using - a lawe --. eroun of civilians us hostaces, - . were oermitted to leave the
grounds at a later date under an arranged truce. During the aperation within
the compound at Santo Tonms Univci-sitv, . . not a single Ailied interrxe was injured
or wounded. Whenever tho Japanese fired from positions also occupied
by civilians, the soldiers of the squadron repeated!y held their fire and risked
further rasualtieg to themselves to avoid possible injury to any internees. The
officers and men of the squadron, completely disregarding the imminent danger
of becoming isolated from the main body of the division troops and being annihilated
by a numerically superior enemy force within the city, pressed their
attack boldly and aggressiaciy. Within a periad of 72 hours, during which time
they had fought continually without rest, the 2d Bguadron, 8th Cavalry with
reinforements, bad adranced through 100 miles of enemg-held territory to be
the first troops to euter the city of Manila, to seize the sent of the Japauesedominated
Philippine Government, and to liberate safely 3,700 Allied internees
at Santo Tomas University. (General Orders 218, Headquarters 1st Cavalry
Division, 17 Narember 1845, as appmved by the Commander In Chief, Unlted
States &:my Forccs, Pacitic.)
2. The 2d Battalion, 12.4171 Infantry Regiment, is cited for oututandiug performmce
of duty in action against the enemy on Mindanao, Philippine Islands, during
the period 22 April to 27 June 1845. The battalion landed at Cotabato, Philippine
Islands, on 22 April 1945 and secured the area. Contact was established and
forces committed in direction of Sarangani Bay and h'uro. The next dal-, the
battalion was mithdrawn from this action and directed to spearhead an infantry
division advancing into the interior. This operntton was aimed at securiug the
Sayre Highway, thereby cutting the main supply route and line of mmrnnnicn-
AGO 35128