2nd Battalion, 350th Infantry Regiment

Awarded on: February 22nd, 1945
Action:
The 2nd Battalion, 350th Infantry Regiment is cited for outstanding performance of duty in action during the period 27 September to 3 October 1944 at Mt. Battaglia, Italy. The 2nd Battalion was assigned the mission of seizing and holding strategic Mt. Battaglia. For seven days, in the face of incessant and violent counterattacks by powerful enemy forces, which at times included elements of four divisions, this battalion clung tenaciously to its positions on the objective. Each attack was preceded by artillery and mortar barrages and climaxed by bitter fire fights, use of flamethrowers by the enemy, hand-to-hand combat, bayonet charges, and grenade duels. The gallant officers and men of this battalion repulsed each attack with a marked display of fighting ability and teamwork. Evacuation of the wounded was extremely difficult because of the inclement weather conditions, the nature of the terrain, and the fact that the enemy artillery firing from the front and both flanks, covered every route of approach to Mt. Battaglia with a hail of fire. Nevertheless, all casualties were promptly evacuated by teams of litter bearers who courageously transported the wounded for long distances through artillery barrages to a point in the rear where further evacuation could be carried on by ambulances. All supplies were brought to the battalion's positions by pack mules supplemented by carrying parties. On several occasions the ammunition supply became dangerously low, and when the men exhausted their hand grenades, they resorted to throwing rocks at the oncoming enemy. Though fighting under the most adverse battle conditions, the officers and men of this battalion displayed an indomitable spirit that refused to waver under the fiercest enemy attacks. The outstanding fighting ability and magnificent courage displayed by the 2nd Battalion, 350th Infantry Regiment are exemplary of the finest traditions of the Army of the United States.
Details:
War Department General Order No. 10, 1945.