THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION (ARMY)

FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM

IS AWARDED TO THE

G TROOP, 12^TH CAVALRY REGIMENT,

1^ST CAVALRY DIVISION

UNITED STATES ARMY

G Troop, 12^th Cavalry Regiment, is cited for extraordinary heroism in overcoming unusually difficult and hazardous conditions in battle. At 1400, 7 March 1944, the 3d Platoon of Troop G, 12^th Cavalry Regiment, led an amphibious assault at Papitalai Mission Station, Los Negros Island, Admiralty Group, from Red Beach, landing in the face of intense enemy machine-gun and rifle fire from positions to the front and left flank. Because of the shortage of landing craft it was 45 minutes between landing waves, and during this period the 3d Platoon, without the aid of supporting weapons, neutralized the first enemy position and advanced 50 yards inland, where they were met by another concentration of enemy fire and were forced to prepare a perimeter of defense in order to hold their own ground and protect the landing of the second platoon. As the second platoon was hitting the beach, a numerically superior enemy force counterattacked the positions of the 3d Platoon and inflicted heavy casualties both on the 3d Platoon and on the second platoon making the landing. The two outnumbered platoons fought off the enemy attack until after the landing of the last platoon when they launched an attack, neutralized the enemy position, and pushed onward to consolidate their positions for the night. At about 2100 the enemy launched a series of three fanatical counterattacks on the Troop G perimeter. All the attacks were repulsed with heavy loss to the enemy, but during the brief period from the time of the initial landing until the last counterattack had been repulsed, Troop G has suffered 35 percent casualties. The courage and esprit of the officers and men of G Troop, 12^th Cavalry Regiment, in making a successful landing against a strongly held and tenaciously defended enemy position, in repulsing three enemy counterattacks though exhausted by long hours of hard fighting, and in pursuing an aggressive offensive even after many of its leaders had been killed or wounded, are in keeping with the finest traditions of our fighting forces.

General Orders No. 34

Headquarters, 1^st Cavalry Division

8 March 1945

Confirmed by:

General Orders No. 45

Headquarters, War Department

12 June 1945

[ Home ] [ Up ]