General Orders 1946 - Fort Benning

three-day stand in the face of terrible odds when American troops fought for
Possession of the rugged slopes of Iegusuku-Yama on Ie Shima, Ryukm Islands.
On 19 April 1945, after placing his heavy machine gun in an advantageous, yet
vulnerabl,le, position on a ridge to support riflemen, he hecame the target of fleree
mortar and small-arms fire from counterattacking Japanese. He repulswl thls
assault by sweeping the enemy with accurate bursts, while explosions and ricocheting
bullets threw blinding dust and dirt about him. He broke up a second
counterattack by hurling grenades into the midst of the enemy forces and then
refused an opportunity to withdraw, volunteering to maintain his post and corer
the movement of American riflemen as they reorganized to meet any further
hostile action. The major effort of the enemy did not develop until the morning
of 21 April. It found I'riwtc dlny still supporting the rifle company in the face
of devastating rifle, machine-gun, and mortar fire. While most of the friendly
troom about him became casualties, he continued to Ere his machine gun until
he was severely wounded and his gun rendered useleas by the burst of a mortar
shell. Refusing to wiadraw from the violent action, he blasted fanatical Japanese
troops with hand grenades until wounded again, this time mortally. By his
intrepidity and the extreme tenacity; with which he held firm until death against
ovemhelrnine - forces. Private dlau killed at least 16 Jamnese. was lareelv - " resnon- -
slble for maintaining the American lines, and inspired his comrades to efforts
which later resulted in complete victory and seizure of the mountain strou~hold.
II..DISTINGUISHED-SERVICE MEDAL-By direction of the President.
under the Drovisions of the act of ConPress - a~~roved - - 9 July 1918 IWD Bul. 43.
1918), the Distinguished-Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and dutinguished
services in the performance of duties of meat responsibility during
the periods indicated was aGarded by the War ~epartment to the following-named
05cers :
Brigadier General Eerman Feldman. 06724, United States Army. October
lW! to October 1844.
Brigadier General Elbert L Ford, 05251, United States Army. April 1844
to September 1945. .
Colonel Ed&% C. Kelton, 03786, Corps of Engineerg United States Army.
October 1943 to April 1945.
Maim General L& B. Eerahezr. ". 06630. United States Army. October
1940 to December 1945.
Colonel Jo7hn B. Montuon~eru, 021546. General Staff Corps, United States
Army. ~anuari to gust 1946.
Brigadier General Bob E. Notoland, 010826, United States Army. August
1944 to October 1945.
Colonel Kenneth Pierce, 012385, General StaE Corps, United States Army.
July 1944 to September 1945.
~rigadier-General ~ohn M. Wdlhs, 016176, United States Army. June
1944 to May 1945.
Major General Rnlah H. Woafa. 08849, United States Army. Was 1M4
to October 1945.
III..DISTINGUISHED-SERVICE MEDAL (OAK-LEAF CLUSTER).-I. By
direction of the President, in addition to the Distinguished-Service Medal
awarded by the War Department to Major General William J. Donocan, as published
in WD Gcneral Orders 43, 1923, a bronze Oak-Leaf Clustcr for exeep
tionally meritorious and distinguished services in the performance of duties
of great responsibility during the perion indicated was awarded to him by the
AGO 2920B