General Orders 1946 - Fort Benning

2 Headquarter8 and Headquarter8 Troop, 12th Cavalry Regiment, is cited for
extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty in action against the
enemy at Leyte Province, Philippine Islands, 20 December 1944. The 12th Calvary
Regiment was attacking south in the Ormoe Valley, Uyte, Philippine Islands.
TWO months of continuous combat had reduced the effectire strength of all units to
sixty percent of authorized strength. At 1230 hours, the Headquarters and Headauarter8
Troop was advancing west toward Lonoy to open a new command post.
ihe advance hard discovered a Japanese batteryof three 105mm gllns and three
light machine guns in position, Seventy-Eve Japanese were serving the pieces
and protecting the position. At 1346 hours, the troop attacked. The antitank
platoon attacked west astride the trail running Lo Lonoy. The reconnaissance
platoon. with elements of G Troop, mnde an enrelopment to the north. After a
short, intense artillery preparation, the attention of the Japanese was taken from
the attacking forces. The antitank platoon met heavy opposition and was
showered with shell fragments . from three bursts. The reconnaissance "latoon
was able to creep within 50 yards of the main Japanese battery position, where it
suddenly opened fire and, as the Japanese attempted to traverse their guns, both
attacking forces and the command~post group assaulted the position. After 15
nainutes of desperate hand-to-hand fighting, 60 Japanese were killed and the
Japanese battery wsb captured. This attack was led bs the reximental . commander
ir. p21son. Duriogmoppineup operations, a wand Japanese battery posltlon was
discovered 600 yards to the west, containing - 4 ~ieces - of artillery and a number
of machine guns. The same plan of attack was used and again successfully completed,
after further close hand-to-hand combat. It was discovered that the
second wsition also contained headauarters of a Jauanese artillery battalion nnd
an engineer battalion. During these 2 engagements, 250 Japanese were killed, 7
artillery nieces captured, 9 light machine guns, numerous rifles, nnd much artillery,
nmnhnition, food, and command postkpuipment destroyed. At no Lime was
communication lost with the forward elements or with the higher units in rear.
Casualties suffered b+ our trooos were Q killed and 60 wounded. Headquarters
and Headquarters Troop, 18th Oavalry Regiment, by its offensive spirit.
courage, determinatlon, and unflinching will to conquer, destroyed a battalion of
the Japanese 1st Field Artillery at a critical time in the battle in the Omoc
Valley and aided materially in the successhl conclusion of the campaign on
Leyte. (General Orders 9, Headquarters 1st Cavalry Division, 6 January 1946.)
BY OXDEB 06" THE SEOKGTAZY OP WAR:
OFmcIAz:
H. B. LEWIS
Brigadier General
Actlng The Adjutdut General
DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
Chief or Gtoff
AGO 676B