DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION PRESENTED TO 3 AD HEADQUARTERS
As
authorized by Executive Order No. 9396 (sec. I, But. 22, WD, 1943),
superseding Executive Order Not 9075 (sec. III, Bull. Il. WD, 1942),
citation of the following unit in General Orders No. 15, Headquarters VII
Corps, 24 March 1945, as approved by the Commanding General, European
Theater of Operations, is confirmed under the provisions of section IV,
Circular No. 323, War Department, 1943, in the name of the President of the
United States as public evidence of deserved honor and distinction. The
citation reads as follows:
Headquarters Forward Echelon and
Headquarters Company, 3rd..Armored Division, is cited for outstanding
performance of duly in action during the period~ 26 August to 4 September
1944 in France and Belgium. When the 3rd Armored Division made its rapid
t!thrust from the Seine River to the Siegfried Line, the headquarters
forward echelon advanced close behind the leading combat elements, assuring
the best possible control and coordination of divisional units. Frequently
traveling through territory not yet cleared of the enemy, pitched battles
were fought at Quincy, Brie Compte Robert, Mangy le Hongre, Levignen,and
Villers Cotteret in France, and on each occasion the enemy was soundly
defeated. At Mons, Belgium, the headquarters directly blocked the path of
the retreating Seventh German Army, and for 36 hours a battle between
elements of German units attempting to extricate themselves anti this small
headquarters raged unabated. Though surrounded and cut off from outside
help, the entire group fought tenaciously against overwhelming enemy farces
and by its grim determination repulsed the enemy and inflicted heavy
casualties. During these actions, this division headquarters group killed or
wounded 227 enemy soldiers, captured 2,432, and destroyed or captured 69
enemy vehicles. The heroic and gallant actions of all personnel of
Headquarters Forward Echelon and Headquarters Company, 3rd Armored Division,
exemplified the highest traditions of the military service.
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