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), the following unit is cited by  the War Department 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:

101st Airborne Division (less 2nd Battalion, 401st Glider Infantry Regiment), with the following-attached units:
501st Parachute Infantry Regiment;
506th Parachute Infantry Regiment;
463rd Parachute Field Artillery Battalion;
Counterintelligence Detachment, 101st Airborne Division;
Order of Battle Detachment Number 5;
Military Intelligence Interpreter Team Number 410;
Photo Interpreter Teams Number 9 & 81;
Prisoner of War Interrogation Teams Number 1, 9 & 87;
Third Auxiliary Surgical Group, Team Number 3;
969th Field Artillery Battalion;
755th Field Artillery Battalion;
705th Field Artillery Battalion;

Combat Command B, 10th Armored Division including:
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Combat Command B, 10th Armored Division;
3rd Tank Battalion (less Company C);
20th Armored Infantry Battalion (less Company A);
54th Armored Infantry Battalion (less Company A and C);
420th Armored Field Artillery Battalion;
Troop D, 90th Calvary Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized);
Company C, 609th Tank Destroyer Battalion (less 1st Platoon; with 2nd Platoon Reconnaissance Company attached);
Battery B, 796th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion;
Company C, 55th Armored Engineer Battalion ;
Company C, 21st Tank Battalion;

Reserve Command, 9th Armored Division including:
Headquarters Reserve Command, 9th Armored Division;
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 12th Armored Group;
2nd Tank Battalion;
52nd Armored Infantry Battalion;
73rd Armored Field Artillery Battalion;
Company C, 9th Armored Engineer Battalion;
Company C, 811th Tank Destroyer Battalion;
Battery C, 482nd Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion (Self-Propelled);

These units distinguished themselves in combat against powerful and aggressive enemy forces composed of elements of 8 German divisions during the period from 18 December to 27 December 1944 by extraordinary heroism and gallantry in defense of the key communications center of Bastogne, Belgium.

Essential to a large scale exploitation of his break-through into Belgium and northern Luxembourg, the enemy attempted to seize Bastogne by attacking constantly and savagely with the best of his armor and infantry.

Without benefit of prepared defenses, facing almost overwhelming odds and with very limited and fast dwindling supplies, these units maintained a high combat morale and an impenetrable defense, despite extremely heavy bombing, intense artillery fire, and constant attacks from infantry and armor on all sides of their completely cut off and encircled position. This masterful and grimly determined defense denied the enemy even momentary success in an operation for which he paid dearly in men, material, and eventually morale.

The outstanding courage and resourcefulness and undaunted determination of this gallant force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the service.

[General Orders No. 17, War Department, 13 March 1945.]

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

Official:                             J. A. ULIO

Major General

The Adjutant General