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 of the following units in General Orders No. 43, Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division, 30 November 1944, as approved by the Commanding General, European Theater of Operations, 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 505th PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 82d AIRBORNE DIVISION, is cited for outstanding performance of duty in action against the enemy between 6 and 9 June 1944, during the invasion of France. The regiment landed by parachute shortly after 0200, 6 June 1944, on the Cotentin Peninsula, in the area west of Ste. Mere Eglise, France.

Drops were made in the face of artillery, machine gun, antiaircraft, and mortar fire from organized and fortified enemy positions, and against small arms fire of mobile and static antiairborne landing groups of German forces in the area. Between 0200 and 0400 the regiment secured the area west of Ste. Mere Eglise for the predawn glider landing of Division Headquarters and antiaircraft elements of the division. By the dawn the 505th Parachute Infantry had captured the town of Ste. Mere Eglise and controlled this vital road center, preventing movement of German forces on the roads to the beachheads east of Ste. Mere Eglise.

The regiment also established strong defensive positions east of the bridge over the Merderet River near La Fiere and prevented reinforcement of German forces east of the Merderet River. The regiment maintained these positions against repeated counterattacks by a numerically superior enemy supported by tanks and artillery. The regiment bore the full brunt of vicious German counterattacks, repelled every assault without comparable artillery support or assistance from friendly forces, and achieved the regimental objectives. In the midst of continuous enemy fire, duties were performed unhesitatingly and with utter disregard for personal safety.

The courage and devotion to duty shown by members of the 505th Parachute Infantry are worthy of emulation and reflect the highest traditions of the Army of the United States.

[General Orders No. 4, WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington 25, D.C., 12 January 1945.]

BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:                    G. C. Marshall
Chief of Staff

Official:                             J. A. ULIO

Major General

The Adjutant General

HEADQUARTERS 82nd AIRBORNE DIVISION
Office of the Division Commander

APO 469 US Army
12 October 1945

GENERAL ORDERS:)
NUMBER 125)

NETHERLANDS DECREE, DATED 8 October 1945, AWARD OF THE "MILITAIRE WILLEMS ORDE" I MINISTERIAL DECREE, NETHERLANDS GOVERNMENT, 8 October 1945, WEARING OF THE ORANGE LANYARD, ROYAL NETHERLANDS ARMY II

I - NETHERLANDS DECREE:
Announcement is made of the Netherlands award of the "Militaire Willems Orde", degree of Knight of the fourth class, to the 82nd Airborne Division. The Netherlands Decree, dated 8 October 1945, is hereby quoted:

"WE WILHELMINA, by the Grace of God, Queen of Netherlands, Princess of Orange Nassau, etc., etc., etc. On the recommendation of Our Ministers of War and for Foreign Affairs, dated 3 October 1945, Secret Nr.Y.22; In accordance with the provisions of the amended Act of April 30, 1815 Nr.5 (Statue-Book Nr.33); In view of the clause 18 of the Regulations of administration and discipline for the "Militaire Willems Orde", as laid down in the Royal Decree of June 25, 1815, Nr. 10;

Considering that the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army during the airborne operations and the ensuing fighting action in the central part of the Netherlands in the period from September 17 to October 4, 1944, excelled in performing the tasks allotted to it, with tact, coupled with superior gallantry, self-sacrifice and loyalty;
Considering also that the actions fought by the aforesaid Division took place in the area of NIJMEGEN: HAVE APPROVED AND ORDERED:
1. To decree that the Divisional Colours of the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States army shall be decorated with the "MILITAIRE WILLEMS ORDE", degree of Knight of the fourth class;
2. To authorize the Division to carry in its Divisional Colours the name of the town of NIJMEGEN 1944. Our Ministers of War and for Foreign Affairs are each for his own part in charge of the execution of this Decree, copy of which shall be sent to the Chancellor of the Netherlands Orders of Knighthood.

THE HAGUE, October 8, 1945
(sgd.) WILHELMINA

THE MINISTER OF WAR
(sgd.) J. MELJNEN
THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS,
(sgd.)VAN KLEFFENS

II - MINISTERIAL DECREE, NETHERLANDS GOVERNMENT:
Ministerial Decree of the Netherlands Minister of War, dated 8 October 1945, granting the personnel of the 82nd Airborne Division who participated in operations during the period of 17 September to 4 October 1944, authority to wear the ORANGE LANYARD of the oyal Netherlands Army is quoted:

"MINISTERIAL DECREE OF THE NETHERLANDS MINISTER OF WAR, dated October 8, 1945, Section IIIA, Secret No-X25.

The Minister of War considering that the outstanding performance of duty of the 82nd Airborne Division, United States Army during the airborne operations and the ensuing fighting action in the central part of the NETHERLANDS in the period from September 17 to October 4, 1944, have induced HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN to decorate its Divisional Colours with the "MILITAIRE WILLEMS ORDE" degree of Knight of the fourth class; CONSIDERING also, that it is desirable for each member of the Division, who took part in the aforesaid operations, to possess a lasting memento of this glorious struggle:
DECREES: That each member of the personnel of the 82nd AIRBORNE DIVISION , UNITED STATES ARMY, who took part in the operationsin the area of NIJMEGEN in the period from September 17 to October 4, 1944, is allowed to wear the ORANGE LANYARD as laid down in article 123g of the Clothing Regulations/1944, of the Royal Netherlands Army.

THE HAGUE, October 8, 1945
THE MINISTER OF WAR
(Minister van Oorlog)