General Orders 1946 - Fort Benning

feet long, wltB numerous compartments leadlng from the main tunneL The
let Battalion sufPered BOB combat casualties in this extremely costly battle for
control of this sector of the Villa Verde Trail area. The 1st Battalion fought
against the enemy's key positions and his most determined troops, killing more
than 1,400. Despite the casualties and adverse condltions, the otlicers and men
of the 1st Battalion. Id8th Infantrg Regiment, never wavered from their determination
to destroy the enemy and complete an extremely dimcult mirsioa
(General Orders 31, J3eadquarters 32d Infantry Division, 15 February 1246, as
approved bithe Commanding Geueral, Sixth Army.)
2. The 43d Cavalry Reoonnaissance Troop (Mechanized) is cited for outstanding
performance of duty in action against the enemy on Lumn, Philippine Ialande.
during the period 12 March to 1 May 1945. At the outset of the battle to torn
the southern flank of the Shimbu Line, east of Manila, this unit was given the
mission of reconnaissance and protection of the right &uk of the 43d Infantry
Division, covering the area between the division's flank and the east shore of
Lagnna de Bay. By the aggressive employment of both motor and foot patrols,
the troow ascertained exactly the disDostion of enemy forces facing it. Increasing
the activity and apgressiveness of its patrols and employing a battery
of field artillery in its supuort, the troop develo~ed its ~atrolling. with mCh
rigor that the enemy, upon being engaged, withdrew under heavy small-arms
and artillery flre and abandoned several towns along the north shore of Lagone
de Bay. This withdrawal opened a road net which later enabled a regimental
combat team, screened by this troop, to sweep into the Santa Maria Valley, turn ,
the sooth flank of thc Shimbu Line, clear the enemy from the west shore of La-
gunn de Bay, and contact an adjacent division to the south. During the battle,
this Unit sueeessfully patrolled over 75 square miles of mew-held territory ln
/ 16 days, forced the abandonment of several occupied barrios, ns well as a road
net rital to future operations, and cnptured 6 Geld pixes, 6 mortars, 8 vehicles,
3 flame throwers, and a quantity of small arms, food, and ammunition. The
troop killed 84 Japanese and captured 6, with a lass to itself of only 1 mnu
wounded. The courage, aggressive fighting, and the results obtained by the
4% Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop (Jiechanised) contributed materially to the
success of this operation. (Gxcrnl Orders 245, Headrlnarters Sixth Army. 11
No~ember 1845, as approved by the Commande? in Chief, United Statea Army
Forces, Pnciflc.)
BX OXDEB 02' Tm SECEETABX OP WBB:
OFEICIAL:
EDWARD F. WITSELL '
&jar General
The Adjutant General
DWIGHT D. EISENHOrnR
Chief of stad