Presidential Unit Citation

Battle Honors

As authorized by Executive Order 9396 (sec. I, Bul. 22,WD , 1943), superseding Executive Order 9075 (sec. III, WD Bul, 11, 1942), citation of the following unit in General Orders No. 43 Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division 4 August 1944, as approved by the Commanding General, First United States Army, is confirmed under the provisions of section IV, Circular No. 333, 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:

Division Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 82nd Airborne Division, is cited for outstanding performance of duty in action against te enemy between 6 and 9 June 1944 during the invasion of France.

The Forward Echelon of Division Headquarters and Headquarters Company landed by parachute and glider on D-Day, 6 June 1944, prior to H-hour, on the Cotentin Peninsula in the area surrounding Ste Mere Eglise, France. The enemy opposed drops and landing with intense antiairborne landing groups which attacked with machine guns, mortars, and artillery. Shortly after 0200, a division command post was established west of Ste Mere Eglise.

Headquarters personnel were augmented by predawn glider elements landing about 0410, and by further gliderborne increments during the day. Headquarters personnel from many gliders, which landed in areas not secured by parachute troops, fought their way to Division Command Post, into which they infiltrated during the first 48 hours.

The Division Staff and Headquarters and Headquarters Companylabored without rest or relaxation day and night during the first 3 days of the invasion, at times under direct attack by artillery and small-arms fire, immediately adjacent to active fighting and frequently subjected to bombing attacks directed against nearby artillery batteries. Duties were performed unhesitatingly with utter disregard for personal safety and with superior efficiency and tireless devotion to duty.

The courage and perserverance shown by members of the Division Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 82nd Airborne Division, are worthy of emulation and reflect the highest traditions of the Army of the United States.

[General Orders No. 69, Washington 25, D.C., 22 August 1944.]

Official:                                   DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
Chief of Staff

EDWARD  F. WITSELL

Major General

The Adjutant General