2nd Battalion, 351st Infantry Regiment

Awarded on: June 11th, 1946
Action:
The 2nd Battalion, 351st Infantry Regiment is cited for outstanding performance of duty in action during the period 27 September to 1 October 1944, near mt. Capello, Itlay. The battalion was assigned the mission of wresting the strategically important Mt. Capello from a determined and numerically superior German force. In the face of a withering hail of fire from all types of weapons, the 2nd Battalion launched its attack down the barren, forward slopes of Mt.Guasteto, Italy, eliminating a strong reverse slope German position in four violent assaults characterized by bitter fire fights and vicious hand-to-hand grenade duels. Although outnumbered, the soldiers of this organization maintained their captured position, despite ruthless enemy counterattacks preceded by intense artillery and mortar barrages. Although suffering from severe losses and confronted by fanatical enemy resistance, the courageous officers and men of the 2nd Battalion again resumed a full scale offensive and, advancing by infiltration, neutralizing resistance by furious hand-to-hand fighting within the German positions, gained a foothold on the barren slopes of Mt. Capello. Setting a commendable example of coolness and efficiency in the face of great danger, the 2nd Battalion fought grimly, tenaciously maintaining its foothold, despite the murderous enemy fire and wave after wave of fresh enemy assault troops. In a notable display of combat skill, teamwork, and determination, the men of the 2nd Battalion, because of a shortage of ammunition, resorted to using captured German machine guns and grenades to meet the enemy onslaughts. Utilizing personnel from battalion headquarters as riflemen, because of its heavily depleted effective strength, the battalion, in a final all-out assault, drove the enemy from Mt. Capello, retaining this strategic terrain feature, despite final desperate enemy counterattacks. The timely capture of this key enemy position frustrated violent enemy efforts to hold terrain of vital importance. A dangerous enemy penetration between the 351st Infantry Regiment and another hard-pressed infantry regiment on the right was averted by the heroic determination, self-sacrifice, and unfailing devotion to duty of the officers and men of the 2nd Battalion, 351st Infantry Regiment. The valorous performance of the 2nd Battalion, 351st Infantry Regiment, reflects great credit on the personnel of the regiment and upon the armed forces of the United States.
Details:
War Department General Order No. 53, 1946.