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 the 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
