General Orders 1946 - Fort Benning

German force. In the face of a withering hail of fire from all tmes of weapons,
the Ed Battalion launched its altack down the barren, forward slopes of 31t.
Guasteta. Italy, eliminating a strong reverse slope German position in four violent
assaults chamcterized bv bitter fire fzhts - and vicious hand-to-hand erenade - duels.
Although outnumbered, the ~oldiers of this organization maintained their cnptured
position, desgite ruthless enemy counterattacks grccedcd by intense artiilery
and mortar barrages. Although suffering from sercrc losses and confronted
by fanatical enemy resistance, the courageous o5cers and men of the Zd EattaTiolr
again resumed a full scale offensive and, advancing by infiltration, neutralizing
resistance by furious hand-to-hand fighting within the German positions, gained
a foothold on the barren slopes of Mt. Cnpcllo. Setting a commendahlc example
of cuolness and cfficicncy in the face of great danger, the 2d Battalion fought
grimly, tenaciously maintainineits foothold, despite the murderous enemy fir?
and wave after ware of freah enemy assault troops. In a notable display of
combat skill, tcamnork, and determination, the men of ihe Ed Battalion, because
of shortage of ammunition, resorted to captured German machine guns and
German grenades to meet the encmy onslanghis. Utilizing personoel from
battalion headquarters at riflemen, beemme of its heavily de~leted effeclire
strength, the bnttalion, in a final all-out assault, drore the enemy from hlt.
Capello, retaining this strategic terrain feature, despite final dcspcrate enemy
counterattacks. The timely cag!nre of this key enemy position frustrated violent
enemy efforts to hold terrain of vital importance. A dangerous enemy penetmtion
between the 3Xst Infantry Regiment and another hard-pressed infnntry
regiment on the right was averted by the heroic determination, self-sacrifice, anrl
unfniling devotion to duty of the officers and men of the Ed Baltnlion, S5lat Infentry
Regiment. The rolorous periormance of the 2d Battalion, 551st Infantry
Regiment, reflects great credit on the ~ersonnel of the regiment and upon the
armed forces of the United States.
BY ommn or THE SERETAHY OF WAE:
om ma^: DWIGFTT D. EISENHOWER
XDWARD F. WITSELL Chief of Niapl
Major Gntnal
The Adinstant General