General Orders 1946 - Fort Benning

GenmdI. Owms
No. 115
WAR DEPARTMENT
WAS~INGTON 25. D. C.. 1 October 1946
I..MILITARY DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON.-1. Prcetive I Octoner 1946,
the War Dcpnrtment Officer Procurement nnd Tntegv;ition Bureau is established
as a dnss I1 activity under the jurisdiction of The Adjutant General, in The
Pentagon, Washington 28. D. C.
2. The Adjutant General sill transfer the necessary personnel, military and
civilian, from departmental to field status for duty in this activity.
[LC 020 (1 Oct 46) I
II..BATTI,E RON0RS.-As authorized by Executive Order 9396 (see. I, WD
Dul. 22, 19431, superseding Executive Order $3075 (see. 111, WD Bui. 11. lW),
the following units are cited by the War D~partment under the provisions of
s~ction IT, WD Circular 333, 1943, in the name of the President of the United
States 3s public evidence of deserved honor and distinction. The citations read
as follows:
1. Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 9th Infantry Di2liaion Artillny.
is cited for conspicuous gallantry and heroism in battle on 21, 22, and 23 February
1943, in repelling an attack by vastly supe~ior farres, which were attempting to
break through the Allied lines in the vicinity of Thain, Tunisia. Headquartws
and Headp.uarter8 Battery. llth Infantry Division Artillery, completed a 100-hour
forced march from Tlemcen, Algeria, corering n distance of 735 miles in hitter
weather over tortuous and almost impassable rnauntnic roads on tho night of
21 February 1943. Without prior reeonnalssnnce or adequate maps, harassed by
enemy fire. and forced to maneuver through a congested narrow road, neverthe
less, the battery oceopied battle positions, set up communications, established
observation posts, and was ready to delirer fire by daylight. Although enemy
forces were entrenched only 2,600 yards distant and there were only three
platoons of friendly infantry in front of the artillery, the unit maintained
constant and steady fire with much deadly effect and enemy tank units were
diswrscd and driven back. The cool and determined manner in which Headquarters
and Headwartera Rotleru, 9t:: Infantry DDiston Artillery, entered into
battle, after an almost incredible forced march, cantributed in great measure to
the defeat of the enemy's attenlpl to break through the Thala defile. The gallant
entry into battle and the heroism vith which the volume of fire was maintained,
desnite terrific enemy fire, are in keeping with the hihest traditions of the
American military service.
2. The 7526 Tank Battallon is cited for outstnoding per~ormauee of duty in
actlon, from 22 April to 2 May 194.5, in the Fo Vallcs. Italy. Supporting an infantry
division in the victorious adranee into the Po Valley, the men of this
bz~ttaliou Dartici~ated aagressivels .- in the assault on slrono enemy positions,
driring the hostile forces unrelmtingly from Bologna lo the foothills of the Alps.
Dis~llaYing - great - courage and determinntion, the heroic tankmen utilized the full
striking power of their tanks to smash strong paints of fanatic enemy resistance,
without regard for grave personal danger. On 23 April, in rapid and savage
attack8 that demoralized large enemy groups and prerented them from reorganizing,
the determined tankmen effected the Pnnaro River crossing, inflicting
heavy casualties on the enemy, destroying great nnrnbers of vehicles, and enp
turing over 400 prisoners. Pressing an toward the Po River, this battalion
AGO 729B-Oct. 716102'-46