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Presidential Unit Citation (formerly Distinguished Unit
Citation):
The Presidential Unit Citation is awarded to units of the Armed Forces
of the United States for extraordinary heroism in action against an
armed enemy occurring on or after 7 December 1941. The unit must
display such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in
accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous
conditions as to set it apart and above other units participating in
the same campaign.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY
APO
464 US
ARMY
2 September 1945
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER 110
E X T R A C T
I CITATION OF UNIT.
Under the provisions of Section
IV, Circular
Number 333, War Department, 1945, the following-named organization is
cited for outstanding performance of duty in action, and is awarded
citation streamers therefor. Individuals assigned or attached to this
unit are entitled to wear the Distinguished Unit Badge to identify such
citation:
THE 752nd TANK BATTALION is
cited for
outstanding performance of duty in action from 22 April 1945 to 2 May
1945 in the Po Valley, Italy. Supporting an infantry division in the
victorious advance into the Po Valley, the men of this battalion
aggressively participated in the assault on strong enemy positions,
driving the hostile forces unrelentingly from Bologna to the foothills
of the Alps. Displaying great courage and determination, the heroic
tankmen utilized the full striking power of their tanks to smash
strongpoints of fanatic enemy resistance without regard for grave
personal danger. On 23 April in rapid and savage attacks that
demoralized large enemy groups and prevented them from reorganizing,
the determined tankmen effected the Panoro River crossing, inflicting
heavy casualties on the enemy, destroying great numbers of vehicles and
capturing over four hundred prisoners. Pressing on toward the Po River,
the battalion skillfully and effectively shattered the entrenched
enemy, overcame stubborn resistance and covered the successful river
crossing by the infantry. Continuing the advance, the tanks spearheaded
the action into and beyond Verona cutting up and smashing German
defenses with a ferocious display of armored power. In an extremely
hazardous and unprecedented advance during the night, the tankmen
succeeded in capturing Vincenza after a savage struggle overcoming road
blocks, bazooka, sniper fire and large caliber guns in house-to-house
fighting. Without rest, the gallant men pushed on and blasted the
fanatical enemy from town to town and at the cessation of hostilities
were moving inexorably into the Alps. The fearless and indomitable
courage displayed by the men of the 752nd TANK BATTALION contributed
substantially toward effecting the capitulation of the enemy in Italy
and are an everlasting credit and inspiration to the Armed Forces of
the United States.
BY COMMAND OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL TRUSCOTT:
OFFICIAL:
M.F.
GRANT
Colonel, AGD
Adjutant General |
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DON
E. CARLETON
Brigadier General, GSC
Chief of Staff |
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General
Bolte of the 34th Infantry attaches the Distinguished Unit streamer to
the B Company standard in the award ceremony that took place on 19
September 1945 at Soleschiano, Italy. |
II Corps Commendation:
R E S T R I C T E D
HEADQUARTERS II CORPS
APO 19 U.S. ARMY
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER 14 |
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In The Field
11 May 1945 |
E X T R A C T
SECTION VI - - COMMENDATION
Under the provisions of Army
Regulations 600-55, the following named unit is commended as indicated.
The 752d Tank Battalion is
commended for outstanding achievements in combat in Italy during the
period 15 April 1945 to 30 April 1945. Breaking through the heavy
defenses south of Bologna, the Battalion, accompanied by infantry
elements, spearheaded the II Corps drive into Bologna and across the Po
Valley to the base of the Alp Mountains. Their outstanding single
achievement was crossing the Po on rafts, fighting two battles, and
advancing thirty-five miles to enter Verona, all within the space of
one day. The speed and daring with which this mission was accomplished
so surprised the enemy that many thousands of them were forced to
surrender. The courage and aggressive fighting spirit demonstrated by
the Officers and Enlisted Men of the 752d Tank Battalion in their bold
exploitation of the Po Valley exemplified the highest traditions of the
military service.
BY COMMAND OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL KEYES:
JOHN M. WILLEMS
Brigadier General, GSC,
Chief of Staff
OFFICIAL:
R. A. RISDEN
Lt. Col., A.G.D.,
Adjutant General
85th Infantry Divisional Commendation:
R E S T R I C T E D
HEADQUARTERS 85TH INFANTRY DIVISION
AG-9
APO 85, U.S. Army
15 June 1945
AG 300.4
GENERAL ORDERS
NO. 49
COMMENDATION OF UNIT
Under the provisions of Army
Regulations 600-55, the following named organization is commended:
COMPANY "C", 752ND TANK
BATTALION, is commended
for outstanding performance of duty and heroic action in combat during
the period 26 September to 27 September, 1944, in Italy. Attached to an
infantry regiment in support of a regimental attack upon a town and
subsequently a vital hill feature,
the focal point of stern enemy resistance, COMPANY "C" was assigned the
initial phase of the mission and assaulted the town in the face of
artillery, mortar, machine gun and small arms fire from well concealed
prepared emplacements. Although several attempts to capture the
objective failed, a combined tank-infantry attack reduced organized
resistance before the objective and carried the attacking elements to
the outskirts of the town. An attack was then launched directly into
the town where the enemy had fortified strategic buildings and arranged
cross-fire to cover any threat to their positions. Heavy casualties
were inflicted upon the fanatical defenders and their positions and
equipment were destroyed by the accuracy and fire power of this valiant
group who had, with utter disregard for their personal safety, ventured
directly into the midst of the enemy stronghold. After many vain
attempts to repulse the attackers, the enemy gradually withdrew
building by building as they were engaged by infantry and supporting
tanks in bitter house to house fighting. Under cover of assaulting
tanks, the infantry then moved in and consolidated their positions in
the major portion of the town with light casualties. The following day,
27 September 1944, COMPANY "C" spearheaded the assault upon a vital
hill feature against determined enemy opposition and unusually intense
enemy fire of all descriptions directed at them from the dominating
heights overlooking the valley. Despite the obstacles to be surpassed
in fighting over the rugged terrain, the company aggressively pushed
forward, maintaining a withering volume of fire, destroying enemy
personnel, self-propelled guns, machine gun and prepared positions, and
hindering the foe in their effort to bring accurate fire power to bear
on the attacking forces. Although numerous mines and tank obstacles
employed by the enemy in defense of positions prohibited the tanks from
negotiating the most desirable routes, the tank commanders with tank
turrets open, selected new lanes of approach, skirted minefields,
out-fought enemy self-propelled and anti-tank guns, over-ran
emplacements and successfully neutralized enemy resistance before and
upon the objective. The definite defeat destroyed any semblance of
organized resistance and made possible the swift advance of the
infantry with barely negligible losses.
The outstanding bravery,
determined
aggressiveness, and skillful tank operation displayed by the officers
and enlisted men of COMPANY "C", 752nd Tank Battalion, against
overwhelming odds, split the enemy asunder and contributed immeasurably
to the success of operations in this sector, exemplifying the highest
traditions of the Armored Force and the Army of the United States.
BY COMMAND OF BRIGADIER GENERAL GEROW:
OFFICIAL: WILLIAM
T. FITTS, JR
Colonel,
GSC
Chief
of Staff
W H GREEN
Lt. Col, AGD
Adjutant General
Individual Decorations for Gallantry, Meritorious
Conduct, Heroism, and Sacrifice:
During World War II, the officers and men of the 752nd Tank Battalion
were awarded 41 Silver Stars, 1 Legion of Merit Medal, 5 Soldiers
Medals, 92 Bronze Stars, and 194 Purple Hearts (shown below in correct
order of precedence).
Commendations to Individual 752nd Tankers
Click here to
learn about some of the specific acts of bravery exhibited by
individual men and officers of the 752nd Tank Battalion.
Other Individual Awards:
Depending upon actual service
records, veterans of the 752nd Tank Battalion may be entitled to one or
more of the following medals for their service with the unit: Prisoner
of War, Good Conduct, American Defense, American Campaign,
Europe/Africa/Middle East Campaign, WWII Victory, and Army of
Occupation (shown below in correct order of precedence).
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