General Orders 1946 - Fort Benning

2 The idt Battalion, 504th Perachu.te Ixfanty Regiment, 826 Airborne Diuiuision,
is citcd far outatanding gerformanec of duty an0 exlrnordinary heroism
in action against the enemy on 20 September 1944 near Nijmegen, Holland.
having lauded bg parachute on 17 Sept~mber and taken all asaigut?d objectives.
rhe 1st IIattation, in conjunction with the 3d Battalion, was gireu the nlission of
making a daylight crossing af tne Wnni River, with the object of captnring
intact the two imporlam bridges at Nijmegen. Every available Germar unit
had been mnsscd north of the bl.idges in expeetation of such an ansault and the
structures were plvgxrrd for demolition. In the face of heavy Gcrman fire, the
haltalion started crossing the rirer in canvas assault boats at 1600 hours. By
1840 holll.8, it ha11 foughl its way to the north end of the rnilrond bridw and
eii~uiuatrd 811 eneniy opposition in that sector. After the battle, 287 ruemy dead
were found in this area. The Zst Roltnlion continued the sttnck to the easr and
captured Fort Len:, after a vicious %hour fight characterized by n frontal nasuult
aghimt fixed fortifications. The troopers attacked in the face of direct rnellly
fire, swarmed over the barriers, and eliminnled the defenders with guns, knives,
baronets, and grenades. As a direct resulL of this astian, all enem? forces were
driven from the narthcrn approaches of the vital Nijmegen highway bridge before
ila dcstructiou coulll be effected and British armor was enabled to cross the
rirer on its may to Amhem. In this brilliantly executed mission, oflicers and
enlisted men of the 1st Battalion, hO4t7~ Parachz~te Infantry &egim.ent, 8%d Air-
Porne Llivinion. conducted tliemxeivrs with heroism, gallantry, and daring. Their
aciliwements mere in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States
Army.
UY ortom OF THE QCCBCTAIIY or Van:
AGO 50230
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