General Orders 1946 - Fort Benning

XILRATTLE HONORS.-As authorized by Executiue Order 9396 (see. I, WD
Bu1. 22, 1943), superseding Executive Order 9075 (see. 111, WD Bul. 11, 1942),
citation of the following unit in the gcilcral orders indicated is confirmed under
the provisions of section IV, WD Circular 333, 1043, in the name of the President
Of the United Slaies as public eridence of deserved honor and distinction. The
citptien reads as folluws:
- ' The 1st Bnflalion. 160th Infantry Regiment, is CitPd far outstanding pcrfurm-
E -- ',. . ance of duty in action against the euemy on I,uzon, Philippine Islands, during
the period 15 lo 17 January 18-15. At 2030 hours on 15 January 1945, the 1st
Battolion. 168th Infantrw Jtsgiment, was ordered to hreak contact with the enculy
on Hill 355, mnkc n mpid eruss-rountry movement through the enemy lines, and
to establish a road block on the NorihMouth National Higlmay No. 3, denying
the enemy use of tile highway and preventing any nithdramxl to the north. The
block was to be established nbant 1% miles uor!hme8t of Pozarrubo, Pangxsinsn
Pruvince, Luzon, Philippine Islands. TLle battalion eammhnder was informed
that the estnblisllcnient of the block before darhmexs an 16 January was of urfeut
necessity. Thc battalion disengeged the enemy an Hill 365 at 21W hou1.s on 16-16
January. Althoueh it mas raining hcnvilg and the night was pitch black, the
disengnge~nent was made in an orderly mnnuer, with only one casualty. The
battalion, after nmrdiing all night through muddy rice paddies and aerriss tmo
sn~olirn rivers, arvivcd at Lnbney. Aftcr a short rest, tlle milrch was resumed in
earnbat formation moss country through rugged, hilly terrain. At 1'200 hours,
10 January 19-15, enemy resistance was encountered just nrest of the JInioquni
River. Thc battalion bypllssed this strong point in order to reach the objective
before dark The block was established an Highmny Ko. 3 at 1700 hours on 16
Jnnuarq. 1945. From 2100 hours, 16 January 1945, this position was hpnrily
attached b.~ the enemy in reinforced company strcugth. Tile attrck was of svlch
ferocity tllirl thr perimeter was penetmted. Tile men iu the perimetrr frioght
until their snnnunition mas exhausted. then engaged the enemy in band~tu-hand
attack and litrrally drove thcm fnim the perimeter. The entire area xns ckarcd
of ihc enemy by 1030 hours on 17 Jannnry 194% During this netirm, tile battalion
susiaincd cnsunlties of 2 oflcers and 16 enlisted men killed mld 2 oliicers an? 15
enlisted men rx.oonded. Enemy known denrl: Ninety-six. Encmy morale at the
start of the attack mas exceedingly high. Der~ite the fact that thc battalion had
been constantly engaged since D-day, H Jllnnnrg 1945, and nltho~zgh the strength
of the battalion n'ns down, because of hear>- c.asualties. to npproximatel~ 550
men and officers, and that the entile command rvzs extremely fatigued from the
lanz and difficult march and loss of slcep, tlle objective was reacted, the blovk
estabiished, and a strong force a£ the enemy decisively defeated. This lleroir
action was a deciding factor in sealing off the eneing.escape route to the rorth.
It also flanked the heavily fortified positions on Hill 354 which was later taken
from tile rear. The courage. fighting spirit, and devotion to duty shown by the
members of the 1st Hrttalion, 169th Infnnf~~ Regiment, are in kzepinp, with the
highest traditions nf the Unitcd States Army. (General Orders 343. Headqunrters
43d Infantry Division, 16 June 1045, as approved by the Commander in
CMef, United States Army Forres, Pacific.)
BY OKnRR OF THE SGCB~ARS 03' WAX :
Omcrar. : DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
EDWARD F. WITSELL Chief of &tolY
Major General
Acting The Adjutant General
AGO ZSBlB
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