General Orders 1946 - Fort Benning

Tbe 2d Battalion, 4.f8d Regimental Combat Team, 16 cited for outstanding per
formance of duty in action on 10 October 1914 near Bruyeres, France, on 28
and 29 October 1N1 near Biflontnine, Fmnce, and from 6 to 10 April 1045, near
Wassa, Italy. The 2d Battalion executed a brilliant tactical operation in cap
toring Hill 533, to expedite the forward mavernent beyond Bruyeres, France and
to erase the German threat from the rear. While two companies pressed for-
ward ngainst a forulidable enemy main line of resistance, other elements of
the battalion struck the enemy paralyzing blows from all directions, practically
e!iminating an entire Gerrnau company and destroying numerous enemy auto-
matic weapons. Atlacking ihe strategic heights of Hiil 617 near Biffontaine,
France, on 28 October 1944, the Bd Battalion secured its objective in a 2-day
operation, which eiiminated a threat to the flanks of two American divisions.
In the face of intense enemy barrages and numerous counterattacks, the in-
fantrymen of this battalion fought their way through difficult jungle-like terrain
ill frrezina - weather and com~letelv . . encircled the enemy. Methodicallv. . the
members of the 2d Battalion hammered the enemy, tnflicting hcavy casualties
upon the dcfcnders and wresting this vital feature from the surriving - Germans.
Maintaining its admirable reeard of aehierement in the vicinity of Massa, Italy.
the Zd Battal~ol~ smashed through and exploited the strong Green Line on the
L i t . Surx~nfi OWP hlr~ni,lnb!~ h~ighr~ tb~ou~h str~ni: r~sI,tan~~.. ~IIP
.'d XU~IIIIIVK in 5 da:a of cie!.l:r~!tolls, hwvy iigltrir8g. mlnllrci a wrira