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 General Orders No. 36, 4 April 1947, as approved by the Commanding General, United States Forces, European Theater, 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:

The 680th Glider Field Artillery Battalion is cited for extraordinary heroism, efficiency, and achievement in action against the enemy during the assault crossing the Rhine River near Wesel, Germany, on 24 March 1945.

Coming in by glider through the heaviest concentration of antiaircraft fire yet experienced in an airborne operation, the 680th Glider Field Artillery Battalion landed widely dispersed in open fields covered by enemy artillery, automatic weapons, and small-arms fire, under direct observation from enemy strong points throughout the area.

With complete disregard for their personal safety, the members of this field artillery battalion unloaded their gliders under a withering cross-fire, assembled in small groups, and fought their way through occupied enemy strong points and field fortifications to the assembly area, using howitzers, bazookas, grenades, and carbines to reduce enemy positions.

During the assembly this field artillery battalion captured and destroyed an enemy 105-mm. artillery battery and a 155-mm. artillery battery and captured 150 enemy soldiers. With 19 killed, including both howitzer battery commanders, and 56 wounded during the assembly, the aggressive action of all members of this battalion enabled both howitzer batteries to occupy positions and the battalion to assume its artillery mission within 1 hour of the initial landing. One hour later, this battalion had completed its survey and had established complete wire communication within the battalion. Within 5 hours after the initial landing, 9 howitzers were in positions and 900 rounds of ammunition had been assembled at the position area.

The efficiency and aggressive action of the 680th Glider Field Artilley Battalion, in the face of great oddsand a defensively prepared enemy, cleared a large portion of the division area and 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. 350, Headquarters U.S. Forces, European Theater, 27 December 1945.]

By Order of The Secretary of War