204 THE 398TH INFANTRY REGIMENT mamtenance section worked day <strong>and</strong> night to keep the vehicles in operatIon. For six (6) weeks, during February <strong>and</strong> March, 1945, the battalion was occupying defensive positions in the vicinity of Lemberg, France. During this period the Ammunition <strong>and</strong> Pioneer Platoon went out at night, between the two front lines, to construct defensive barbed wire entanglements across the entire front, <strong>and</strong> the Antitank Platoon went into front line positions to act as riflemen. On April 4, 1945 rhe battalion was given the mission of establishing a bridgehead across the Neckar River in the vicinity of Heilbronn, Germany, so that a treadway bridge could be constructed on which it was planned to move an armored unit across. <strong>The</strong> battalion established the bridgehead but due to the intensity of the hostile artillery <strong>and</strong> many large scale counterattacks, the bridge could not be constructed. <strong>The</strong> Communication Platoon constructed an underwater cable to maintain the communication lines across the river <strong>and</strong> the wire crews repeatedly risked their lives to repair the wire lines which were constantly being destroyed by the enemy artillery. <strong>The</strong> Ammunition <strong>and</strong> Pioneer Platoon supplied the battalion, using assault boats, while under enemy observation <strong>and</strong> subjected to constant hostile mortar <strong>and</strong> artillery fire. <strong>The</strong> Antitank Platoon moved their guns across on infantry support craft <strong>and</strong> provided the battalion with the only protection that they had against mecllanized attack. During this entire period, the administrative section worked tirelessly to keep accurate company <strong>and</strong> battalion records, in training replacements, h<strong>and</strong>ling <strong>awards</strong>, disseminating information <strong>and</strong> coordinating the movement of hot food up to the troops. <strong>The</strong> success of this battalion in combat has been in a large measure due to the superior support provided by the Battalion Headquarters Company. <strong>The</strong> outst<strong>and</strong>ing work done by the entire personnel of this company reflects high credit on the Army of the United States. 3. This recommendation is also based on the following: a. <strong>The</strong> personnel of this unit have on all occasions displayed a high st<strong>and</strong>ard of discipline as evidenced by their excellent military courtesy. b. <strong>The</strong> appearance of the personnel, installations, <strong>and</strong> equipment of this organization has always been excellent. * * * 4. I have personal knowledge of recommendation. the facts set forth in this ERNEST L. JANES, Lt. Col., 398th Infantry, Comm<strong>and</strong>ing
Accomm<strong>and</strong>o, James J. Adams, Earl L. Albright, John M. Allen, Joseph R. Anderson, Leorne W. Arheit, Frederick J. Ashton, Roger S. Atkinson, Lonzo E. Austin, Sherburne C. Baeschlin, Sidney J. Baker, Floyd W. Baker, William C. Barcal, Richard J. Barney, Pete J., Jr. Bixby, Lester W. Borjon, Charles Brackett, Samuel W. Br<strong>and</strong>on, Richard G. Brott, Charles A. Brueggemann, Raymond F., Jr. Bruno, Anthony C. Bryant, Gilbert L. Buck, Jacob J., Jr. Bujnowski, Frank B. Burrola, Frank M. Callen, William Castillo, Raymond D. Chabot, Deziel P. Chesney, Robert E. Church, Harry S. Clutter, James H. Clyburn, Clifford J. Coale, Joseph H. HONOR ROLL 205 Coats, Earl Coffey, James C. Cohen, Hyman Collier, Alvis H. Collins, Robert J. Cook, Raymond W. Cook, Robert C. Cowley, Daniel G. Curtis, Paige K. Daly, James S. Danchik, Samuel Danner, Edward G. Darrow, Leonard Devereaux, John J. Dillon, John J. Dipoma, Dewey L. DiPrizito, Louis G. Dolphin, Howard F. Doran, Harold H. Dorn, Rueben Downey, John H. Dupuis, Howard J. E. Dutko, Stephen J. Eischer, Wilbur G. Ethridge, Jack A. Ewing, Huling D. Ferguson, John D. Fischer, W. G. Fletcher, Arthur L. Folds, William M., Jr. Forrest, Richard A. Freibel, Leo R. Funari, Robert, Jr.