Distinguished 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 to the following unit
in the General Orders indicated are 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:
The 466th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion is cited
for extraordinary heroism, efficiency, and achievement in action against the enemy near Wesel, Germany, on 24 March 1945.
Jumping by parachute, north of Wesel,the 466th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion encountered some of the bitterest fighting in the accomplishment of the objectives assigned to the 17th Airborne Division.
Landing in a drop zone completely covered by accurate fire from enemy artillery emplacements, this parachute field artillery battalion after gathering ammunition and howitzer bundles off the fire swept field, went into action to fire their first round within 30 minutes after getting to the ground.
Although 1 Battery of this parachute field artillery battalion had lost all of its officers, the battalion's fire control was established within 1 1/2 hours and firing in direct support of a parachute infantry regiment.
The 466th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion, in addition to accomplishing its assigned mission,succeeded in capturing 320 prisoners and capturing or destroying 18 field pieces and approximately 18 enemy machine guns.
The profficiency and aggressiveness of the 466th Parachute Field Artilley Battalion,
in the face of great odds and a defensively prepared enemy, resulted in the provision of adequate artillery support, which assisted materially in the ultimate success of the operation and subsequent explotation of the gains acheived.
[General Orders No. 352, Headquarters U.S. Forces, European Theater, 28 December 1945.]
By Order of The Secretary of War
Official:
DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
Chief of Staff
EDWARD F. WITSELL
Major General
The Adjutant General
General Orders No 42 (GO 42) DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Washington 25, D.C., 25 August 1949.
BATTLE HONORS Paragraph 9, section V, WD General Orders 119, 1946, pertaining to the 466th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion is amended to include Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 17th Airborne Division Artillery.
By Order of The Secretary of the Army
Official:
J. LAWTON COLLINS
Chief of Staff
