
THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION (ARMY)
FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM
IS AWARDED TO THE
HEADQUARTERS and HEADQUARTERS TROOP,
12TH CAVALRY REGIMENT,
1ST CAVALRY DIVISION
UNITED STATES ARMY
Headquarters and
Headquarters Troop, 12th Cavalry Regiment, is cited for
extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty in action against the
enemy at Leyte Province, Philippine Islands, 20
December 1944. The 12th Cavalry Regiment was attacking south in the Ormoc Valley,
Leyte, Philippine Islands. Two months of
continuous combat had reduced the effective strength of all units to sixty
percent of authorized strength. At 1230 hours, the Headquarters and
Headquarters Troop was advancing west toward Lonoy to
open a new command post. The advance guard discovered a Japanese battery of
three 105-mm guns and three light machine guns in position. Seventy-five
Japanese were serving the pieces and protecting the position. At 1345 hours,
the troop attacked. The antitank platoon attacked west astride the trail
running to Lonoy. The reconnaissance platoon, with
elements of G Troop, made an envelopment to the north. After a short, intense
artillery preparation, the attention of the Japanese was taken from the
attacking force. The antitank platoon met heavy opposition and was showered
with shell fragments from tree bursts. The reconnaissance platoon was able to
creep within 50 yards
of the main Japanese battery position, where it suddenly opened
fire and, as the Japanese attempted to traverse their guns, both attacking
forces and the command post group assaulted the position. After 15 minutes of
desperate hand-to-hand fighting, 60 Japanese were killed and the Japanese
battery was captured. This attack was led by the regimental commander in
person. During mopping-up operations, a second Japanese battery position was
discovered 500 yards to the west, containing 4 pieces of artillery and a number
of machine guns. The same plan of attack was used and again successfully
completed, after further hand-to-hand combat. It was discovered that the second
position also contained headquarters of a Japanese artillery battalion and an
engineer battalion. During these 2 engagements, 250 Japanese were killed, 7
artillery pieces captured, 9 light machine guns, numerous rifles, and much
artillery ammunition, food, and command post equipment destroyed. At no time
was communications lost with the forward elements or with the higher units in
the rear. Casualties suffered by our troops were 9 killed and 50 wounded.
Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 12th Cavalry Regiment, by its
offensive spirit, courage, determination, and unflinching will to conquer,
destroyed a battalion of the Japanese 1st Field Artillery at a
critical time in the battle in the Ormoc
Valley and aided materially in the
successful conclusion of the campaign on Leyte.
General Orders No. 9
Headquarters, 1st Cavalry
Division
6 January 1946
Confirmed by:
General Orders No. 108
Headquarters, War Department
24 September 1946
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