THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION (ARMY)

FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM

IS AWARDED TO THE

HEADQUARTERS and HEADQUARTERS TROOP,

12^TH CAVALRY REGIMENT,

1^ST CAVALRY DIVISION

UNITED STATES ARMY

Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 12^th 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 12^th 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, 12^th Cavalry Regiment, by its offensive spirit, courage, determination, and unflinching will to conquer, destroyed a battalion of the Japanese 1^st 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, 1^st Cavalry Division

6 January 1946

Confirmed by:

General Orders No. 108

Headquarters, War Department

24 September 1946

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