HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY
APO 464         US ARMY

2 September 1945

GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER     110

E X T R A C T

I CITATION OF UNIT.
    Under the provisions of Section IV, Circular Number 333, War Department, 1945, the following-named organization is cited for outstanding performance of duty in action, and is awarded citation streamers therefor. Individuals assigned or attached to this unit are entitled to wear the Distinguished Unit Badge to identify such citation:

    THE 752nd TANK BATTALION is cited for outstanding performance of duty in action from 22 April 1945 to 2 May 1945 in the Po Valley, Italy. Supporting an infantry division in the victorious advance into the Po Valley, the men of this battalion aggressively participated in the assault on strong enemy positions, driving the hostile forces unrelentingly from Bologna to the foothills of the Alps. Displaying great courage and determination, the heroic tankmen utilized the full striking power of their tanks to smash strongpoints of fanatic enemy resistance without regard for grave personal danger. On 23 April in rapid and savage attacks that demoralized large enemy groups and prevented them from reorganizing, the determined tankmen effected the Panoro River crossing, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy, destroying great numbers of vehicles and capturing over four hundred prisoners. Pressing on toward the Po River, the battalion skillfully and effectively shattered the entrenched enemy, overcame stubborn resistance and covered the successful river crossing by the infantry. Continuing the advance, the tanks spearheaded the action into and beyond Verona cutting up and smashing German defenses with a ferocious display of armored power. In an extremely hazardous and unprecedented advance during the night, the tankmen succeeded in capturing Vincenza after a savage struggle overcoming road blocks, bazooka, sniper fire and large caliber guns in house-to-house fighting. Without rest, the gallant men pushed on and blasted the fanatical enemy from town to town and at the cessation of hostilities were moving inexorably into the Alps. The fearless and indomitable courage displayed by the men of the 752nd TANK BATTALION contributed substantially toward effecting the capitulation of the enemy in Italy and are an everlasting credit and inspiration to the Armed Forces of the United States.

BY COMMAND OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL TRUSCOTT:

OFFICIAL:

M.F. GRANT Colonel, AGD Adjutant General

DON E. CARLETON Brigadier General, GSC Chief of Staff

General Bolte of the 34th Infantry attaches the Distinguished Unit streamer to the B Company standard in the award ceremony that took place on 19 September 1945 at Soleschiano, Italy.

R E S T R I C T E D

HEADQUARTERS II CORPS APO 19     U.S. ARMY

GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER      14

In The Field 11 May 1945

E X T R A C T
SECTION VI - - COMMENDATION

    Under the provisions of Army Regulations 600-55, the following named unit is commended as indicated.

    The 752d Tank Battalion is commended for outstanding achievements in combat in Italy during the period 15 April 1945 to 30 April 1945. Breaking through the heavy defenses south of Bologna, the Battalion, accompanied by infantry elements, spearheaded the II Corps drive into Bologna and across the Po Valley to the base of the Alp Mountains. Their outstanding single achievement was crossing the Po on rafts, fighting two battles, and advancing thirty-five miles to enter Verona, all within the space of one day. The speed and daring with which this mission was accomplished so surprised the enemy that many thousands of them were forced to surrender. The courage and aggressive fighting spirit demonstrated by the Officers and Enlisted Men of the 752d Tank Battalion in their bold exploitation of the Po Valley exemplified the highest traditions of the military service.

BY COMMAND OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL KEYES:

JOHN M. WILLEMS
Brigadier General, GSC,
Chief of Staff

OFFICIAL:

R. A. RISDEN
Lt. Col., A.G.D.,
Adjutant General

R E S T R I C T E D

HEADQUARTERS 85TH INFANTRY DIVISION

AG-9
APO 85, U.S. Army
15 June 1945

AG 300.4
GENERAL ORDERS
NO. 49

COMMENDATION OF UNIT

    Under the provisions of Army Regulations 600-55, the following named organization is commended:

    COMPANY "C", 752ND TANK BATTALION, is commended for outstanding performance of duty and heroic action in combat during the period 26 September to 27 September, 1944, in Italy. Attached to an infantry regiment in support of a regimental attack upon a town and subsequently a vital hill feature, the focal point of stern enemy resistance, COMPANY "C" was assigned the initial phase of the mission and assaulted the town in the face of artillery, mortar, machine gun and small arms fire from well concealed prepared emplacements. Although several attempts to capture the objective failed, a combined tank-infantry attack reduced organized resistance before the objective and carried the attacking elements to the outskirts of the town. An attack was then launched directly into the town where the enemy had fortified strategic buildings and arranged cross-fire to cover any threat to their positions. Heavy casualties were inflicted upon the fanatical defenders and their positions and equipment were destroyed by the accuracy and fire power of this valiant group who had, with utter disregard for their personal safety, ventured directly into the midst of the enemy stronghold. After many vain attempts to repulse the attackers, the enemy gradually withdrew building by building as they were engaged by infantry and supporting tanks in bitter house to house fighting. Under cover of assaulting tanks, the infantry then moved in and consolidated their positions in the major portion of the town with light casualties. The following day, 27 September 1944, COMPANY "C" spearheaded the assault upon a vital hill feature against determined enemy opposition and unusually intense enemy fire of all descriptions directed at them from the dominating heights overlooking the valley. Despite the obstacles to be surpassed in fighting over the rugged terrain, the company aggressively pushed forward, maintaining a withering volume of fire, destroying enemy personnel, self-propelled guns, machine gun and prepared positions, and hindering the foe in their effort to bring accurate fire power to bear on the attacking forces. Although numerous mines and tank obstacles employed by the enemy in defense of positions prohibited the tanks from negotiating the most desirable routes, the tank commanders with tank turrets open, selected new lanes of approach, skirted minefields, out-fought enemy self-propelled and anti-tank guns, over-ran emplacements and successfully neutralized enemy resistance before and upon the objective. The definite defeat destroyed any semblance of organized resistance and made possible the swift advance of the infantry with barely negligible losses.

    The outstanding bravery, determined aggressiveness, and skillful tank operation displayed by the officers and enlisted men of COMPANY "C", 752nd Tank Battalion, against overwhelming odds, split the enemy asunder and contributed immeasurably to the success of operations in this sector, exemplifying the highest traditions of the Armored Force and the Army of the United States.

BY COMMAND OF BRIGADIER GENERAL GEROW:


OFFICIAL:                WILLIAM T. FITTS, JR
                         Colonel, GSC
                         Chief of Staff

W H GREEN
Lt. Col, AGD
Adjutant General

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Individual Decorations for Gallantry, Meritorious Conduct, Heroism, and Sacrifice:
During World War II, the officers and men of the 752nd Tank Battalion were awarded 41 Silver Stars, 1 Legion of Merit Medal, 5 Soldiers Medals, 92 Bronze Stars, and 194 Purple Hearts (shown below in correct order of precedence).



Commendations to Individual 752nd Tankers
Click here to learn about some of the specific acts of bravery exhibited by individual men and officers of the 752nd Tank Battalion.

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Other Individual Awards:
Depending upon actual service records, veterans of the 752nd Tank Battalion may be entitled to one or more of the following medals for their service with the unit: Prisoner of War, Good Conduct, American Defense, American Campaign, Europe/Africa/Middle East Campaign, WWII Victory, and Army of Occupation (shown below in correct order of precedence).

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