General Orders 1946 - Fort Benning

the completion of the 326 Division's operations, covering its relief and withdrawal
and being the last unit to leave the scene of the action. In this period,
)t fired more than 69,200 rounds of ammunition far a rate of better than 1 every
2 minutes. Desoite this heavy rate of fire. it was successfuIl? deliver& without
inflicting a single casualty upon the supported infantry, a support action rendered
under all but imnossible conditions. Wire communications and sun~ly .- were
~
maintained at a great cost to the battalion, which, in addition, being denied
flank support because of a shortage of troops within the division itself, was
forced to maintain its own security by constant patrolling action. Because of the
extreme hazard of the position, easooliies were henrg, both at the position and
in the forward areas. where forward observers and liaison Darties consistcntl~
operated, the battalion suffering more than a11 other artillery units of the division
concerned. This brought about a critical shorlnge of wrsonnel, resulting
in officers and men maintaining themselves for periods as long as 37 days in the
forward areas without relief and des~itr ihe need in mans cases for hospitalization.
~hroughout this time, many a& of individual heroism and gallantry were
performed by officers and men of the hatlalion, who so sn~cessfully completed
their mission as to alas a naramount role in the onenine of the Villa Verde Trail.
devotion to duty diminred by the officers and men of the 186th i"&d Artillery
Battaxon, during thir critical phase of the Luzon campaigu, not only refiect great
credit ou the mcmbers of the battalion but on the bntbwliun itself, the R2d Division,
and military scrvice as well. (Gcnernl Orders 46, Headquarters 32d Infantry
Division, 28 k'ebroarg 1946.)
6. The 884th Airborne Jiedictld Company is cited for extraordinary heroism,
acilirvement, and efficiency in action against the enemy near Wesel, Germany, on
24 March 1045. After having been subjected to heary flak resistance, which cost
the unit 3 of its surgeons, miscellaneous supplies, and transportation, this airborne
medical ComPnny cs;ublished the divisional aid and clearing station within 55
minutes after landing, Of the eemniuing medical personnel, 13 were wounded, but
refused evacunrian in order to attend those requiring medical and surgical attention.
Despite the handieaps and losses, the 24th Airom-ne Medical Cornpanu
Provided efficient and adequate medical attention to approximately 750 American
and British casualties during tile first 24 hours of the operation. The complete
devotion to duty and absolute disregard for personal welfare demonstrated by
the 2%4th Airborne XedioaZ Company were responsible for the unprecedented law
mortality rate for an operation of this nature (General Orders 352, Headquarter8
United States Army H'orces, European Theater, 28 December 1945.)
I. The 315th Troop Oarrler Equadros, 4436 Pool, Can'ier &mLp, is cited for
outstanding performance of duty In action from 5 March to 1 October 1944.
During this period, the 815th Troop Carrier Equadron participated with distine
tion in the aerial invasion of Burma, the Mogaung Valley camIJaign, and subse
quent intensive air sunply and transport operations. On the night of 5 March
1944, this squadron towed gliders loaded with troops, ordnance, and equipment
to air strips located far behind encmy lincs in Burma, and, in the following
week, ferried nightly into enemy territory . lame - quantities - of personnel and
mat4rie1, without loss of aircraft or person~el transported in the face of flerce
enemy mortar and ground fire. Landings were made on crude, hastily constructed
atrips in encmy-held jungle territory, where Japanese aircraft and antiaircraft
artillery positions were numerous and aetire. Weather conditions were execra-
AGO 802B