General Orders 1946 - Fort Benning

XIV..AIR MEDAL AND OAK-LEAF CLUSTER.-By direction of the Preal-
dent, under the provisions of Executive Order 9158, 11 Hay 1942 (WD Bui. 25,
1942), as amended by Executive Order 9242-A, 11 Septcmber 1942 (WD BuL
49, 19421, an Air Medal and a bronze Oak-Iknf Cluster for meritorious achieve
ment w-hile participating in aerial flight during the periods indicated Was
awarded by the War Department to the following-named officer :
I. Air Afedal.-First Lleutenxnt Junathan K. Kahananui, 0745408, Air Corps,
Army of the Unlted States. November 1943 to August 1945.
2. Oak-Leaf Cluster.-First Lieutenant Jonathan IC. Kahananu4, 0145408,
Air Corps, Army of the United States. 28 August 1945.
XV..AIR MEDAL (OAK-LEAF CLUSTER),By dircetion of the President, In
addition to the Air Medal awarded to Blight OWcer William 6. Arnott, as
published in General Orders 8, Pacific Diqision, Air Transport Command, ll
Sanuary 1946, a bronze Onk-Leaf Cluster far meritorious achievement while
participating in aerial flight during the geriarl indicated was awarded to him
by tJle War Department under the provisions of Executive Order 9158, 11 May
1942 (WD Bul. 25,1942), as amended by Executive Order 9242-4 11 September
1942 (WD Bul. 49,1942). The citation is as follows:
Flight Officcr William S. drnott (T183610), bir Corps, Army of the United
States. October 1944 to August 1945.
XVILBATTLE HONORS.-As authorized by Executive Order 9396 (sec. I,
WD Bul. 22, 19431, superseding Exccutive Order 9075 (sec. 111 \VD Bul. 11.
1942), citation of the following unit in the generayorders indicated is confirmed
undcr the provision8 of section IV, WD Circul.& 333, 1913, in the name of the
President of the United Stntes as public esidence of deserved honor and distiuction.
The citation rends as follows:
The Sd Battaldm, 128th lnfanhg Beginont, is clted for outstanding performance
of duty in actlon against the enemy of Luzon, Philippine Islands, from 24
March to 31 May 1945. The Sd Battalion, during this period, attacked and
vanquished the fanatical and aggressive enemy entrenched in seemingly impregnable
fortifications controlling the Villa Verde TraiL The enemy timetable
permitted them months of preparation. during which, they honeycombed the
hiils with elaborate systems of caves, prepared fortifled empiacemcnts far
artillery and machine guns, familiarized themselves with the terrain, and cached
huge stocks of supplies nod ammunition. Dense forests, thick scrub and uuderbrush,
and concentrated patches of mzor-sharp kunai grass afforded the enemy
the most ideal natural defensive positions eyer encountered. Defense of them
hills consisted of series after series of pillboxes heavily armed uitb machine
guns and mutually s~~pporting automatic and small-arms flre. These positions
were so well-dug in and protected that thpy were not seriously affected by our
artillery and mortar barrages and had to be reduced one by one by organized
assault group%, The commitment of the Sd Battalion, in n series of coordinated
attacks against enemy-held hills, launched the unit into one of the bloodiest most
bitterly Contested engagements of the entire campaign. In 14-day period, 220
Japanese were killed and mnny others were buried in the 44 eaves and pillboxes
sealed and overrun. Ban~alore . tornedocs. rocket launchers. wle charges, handthrown
demolitions, and flame throwers literally blasted and buried enemy troops
to annihilation as the slow, costlr ad~ance rolled on until thrse hiils were taken.
The capture of these hills isolated eut-off pockets of enemy forces and made
possible the extension of the supply road. Further advance was impeded by
AGO 81SB