General Orders 1946 - Fort Benning

V..BATTLE HONORS.-As authorized by Executive Order 9396 (sae. I, WD
Bul. 22. 19131, superseding Xxecutive Order 9075 (see. 111, Wp Bul. 11, 1942).
ritatinns of the following umts in the general ordcrs indicnled are confirmed
under the provisions of section IT. WD Circular 333, 1943, in the name of the
President of the Unlted States as puhllc evidence of deserved honor and dis-
Unction. The citations read as follows:
1. Troop 0, 118th Cavalvy Reconnaissance Rquadron (Mechanized) (Reinforced),
is cited for distinguishing . itself in haltle by extraordinary heroism,
determination, and esprit de corps in oTercoming unusually difficnlt and hazardous
conditions during the period 4 to 7 A~ril1845. With the 36 Plntoon, Company F.
attached, Troop C, 113th Ca~alry Re&naiarance Aqaadron (Mechanized) (Rein-
Forced), was assigned the missiou of carrying out a reconnaissance in foree of a
route between I'aderhorn, Germany, and the \Veser River. During the initial
phases of the action, T~oop C reduced successfully several roadblocks defended
bs sullerior enemy forces. Heavily defended woods were cneountcred and were
attacked hy disnlonnted scout sections and towns were successfiilly attacked and
taken in the face of - ~re~ared - defensive nositions, which were auqmented in two
iu8tan~es with Tiger tanks. Troop C, during the major portion of the period, was
in direct contact with the enrmy 24 hours a day. When, near the town of
Langenknmo, Troop B, 113th Caralry Reconnaismnce Squadron (Mechanized),
was stopped by fanatical resistance from a roadhloe~ Troop C, moved through
Troop H. demolished the roadblock, and captured the tovn, then moved on into
the town of Rischcnnu through heavily defended woods and canalized roads.
The enemy had 40-mm guns, two Tiger tanks, and about a rampauy of infantry
in dcfense of the town. l'roop C moved in, attacked, and forced the enemy to
nbnndnn thoir positions. Fronl there, Tf-oop C lnored toward the town of Falkenllagen
in a night attack and, even though an erroneous report as to the oecuparlcy
of the town was received from an adjacent unit, struck with such foree and
P8Prit de cows that tlw town mas taken from an estimated battalion ef SS troops,
rrugn~erited by two Mark YI tanks. As a result of this brilliant action, the 63d
Infantry Division mas able to move rapidly toward the arca from which the
attack across the Weser River rpns launched. (General Orders 580, Headquarters
Seventh Army, 8 Oetakr 1945.)
2 The 1st Battalion, 518th Pwmhute Infaqztry Rsgin~ent, is cited for extrnordinary
heroism, emciency, and achievement in action against the enemy near
Wesel, Germany, on 24 March 1945. After having been subjected to intense and
damaging antiaircraft Bre and landing an a drop zone swe~lt with heavy automatic
--
in the face of great odds and a defensively prepared enemy resulted in the
anbyesuerit success of the airborne and land invasion of Germany. (General
Orders 352, Hcadqnorters United States Army Forces, European Theater, 28
Deeember 1945. j
3. The 3.3 Battalion, 513th Parachute I?tfantry Repiment, is cited for ertraor-
ilinnry heroism, achievement, and gallantry in action against the enemy in the
vicinity of Wesel, Germany, on 21 March 1945. Encountering heavy antiaircraft
resistance, this battalion landed amid strong enemy positions. Despite the stiff
resistance encountered on the ground, the battalion assembled and organized to