Appendix N: Unit Citations
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY,
Washington.
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to the
FIRST MARINE DIVISION, REINFORCED, consisting of
The FIRST Marine Division; Fourth Marine War Dog Platoon; Fourth Provisional Rocket Detachment; Fourth Joint Assault Signal Company; Third Amphibian Truck Company; Third Provisional Armored Amphibian Battalion; First Amphibian Tractor Battalion; Eighth Amphibian Tractor Battalion; Detachment, First Platoon, First Bomb Disposal Company; Second Platoon, First Bomb Disposal Company (less First Section); Battery “B”, 88th Independent Chemical Mortar Battalion, U.S. Army; Company “B” (less First Platoon), 713th Armored Flame Thrower Battalion, U.S. Army,
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
“For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces during the invasion and capture of Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands, from April 1 to June 21, 1945. Securing its assigned area in the north of Okinawa by a series of lightning advances against stiffening resistance, the FIRST Marine Division, Reinforced, turned southward to drive steadily forward through a formidable system of natural and manmade defenses protecting the main enemy bastion at Shuri Castle. Laying bitter siege to the enemy until the defending garrison was reduced and the elaborate fortifications at Shuri destroyed, these intrepid Marines continued to wage fierce battle as they advanced relentlessly, cutting off the Japanese on Oroku Peninsula and smashing through a series of heavily fortified, mutually supporting ridges extending to the southernmost tip of the island to split the remaining hostile force into two pockets where they annihilated the trapped and savagely resisting enemy. By their valor and tenacity, the officers and men of the FIRST Marine Division, Reinforced, contributed materially to the conquest of Okinawa, and their gallantry in overcoming a fanatic enemy in the face of extraordinary danger and difficulty adds new luster to Marine Corps History and to the traditions of the United States Naval Service.”
For the President.
JOHN L. SULLIVAN
Secretary of the Navy.
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY,
Washington.
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to the
SIXTH MARINE DIVISION, REINFORCED
consisting of
The Sixth Marine Division; First Marine War Dog Platoon; Fifth Provisional Rocket Detachment; Third Platoon, First Bomb Disposal Company; Marine Observation Squadron Six; Sixth Joint Assault Signal Company; First Armored Amphibian Battalion; Fourth Amphibian Tractor Battalion; Ninth Amphibian Tractor Battalion; First Section, Second Platoon, First Bomb Disposal Company; 70 Sth Amphibian Tank Battalion, U.S. Army; Third Armored Amphibian Battalion (less 4 platoons); 91st Chemical Mortar Company (Separate), U.S. Army; First Platoon, Company B, 713th Armored Flame-Thrower Battalion, U.S. Army,
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
“For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault and capture of Okinawa, April 1 to June 21, 1945. Seizing Yontan Airfield in its initial operation, the SIXTH Marine Division, Reinforced, smashed through organized resistance to capture Ishikawa Isthmus, the town of Nago and heavily fortified Motobu Peninsula in 13 days. Later committed to the southern front, units of the Division withstood overwhelming artillery and mortar barrages, repulsed furious counterattacks and staunchly pushed over the rocky terrain to reduce almost impregnable defenses and capture Sugar Loaf Hill. Turning southeast, they took the capital city of Naha and executed surprise shore-to-shore landings on Oroku Peninsula, securing the area with its prized Naha Airfield and Harbor after nine days of fierce fighting. Reentering the lines in the south, SIXTH Division Marines sought out enemy forces entrenched in a series of rocky ridges extending to the southern tip of the island, advancing relentlessly and rendering decisive support until the last remnants of enemy opposition were exterminated and the island secured. By their valor and tenacity, the officers and men of the SIXTH Marine Division, Reinforced contributed materially to the conquest of Okinawa, and their gallantry in overcoming a fanatic enemy in the face of extraordinary danger and difficulty adds new luster to Marine Corps history, and to the traditions of the United States Naval Service.” For the President.
JAMES FORRESTAL
Secretary of the Navy.
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY,
Washington.
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to the
SECOND MARINE AIRCRAFT WING
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
“For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Okinawa Campaign, from April 4 to July 14, 1945. Bearing the entire burden of land-based aircraft support during the early part of the Okinawa Campaign, the Second Marine Aircraft Wing established facilities and operated its aircraft under the most hazardous field conditions with a minimum of equipment and personnel. Undeterred by either the constant rain during April and May or by heavy enemy artillery shelling and repeated day and night aerial bombing of the air strips, the unit succeeded in carrying out highly effective aerial operations against the enemy from Kyushu to the southernmost islands of the Ryukyu Group, flying picket-ship and antisubmarine patrols, fighter sweeps, day and night fighter and bomber strikes, reconnaissance and search missions, escort missions, and minesweeper and photographic plane cover, in addition to paradrop missions to move essential supplies to our forces. Blasting night and day at the enemy’s dug-in infantry and artillery positions and executing some of the most successful night fighter operations of the Pacific War, the unit furnished close air support for our ground forces, shooting down 495 Japanese planes during this period, A gallant, fighting unit, complemented by skilled officers and men, the Second Marine Aircraft Wing played a major role in achieving the air superiority essential to our success in the Okinawa operation.” For the President.
JAMES FORRESTAL
Secretary of the Navy
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Washington.
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to the
MARINE OBSERVATION SQUADRON THREE
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
“For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces during the invasion of Okinawa, April 2 to June 21, 1945. The first aviation squadron to land on and operate from Yontan Airfield, Marine Observation Squadron THREE assisted in preparing a landing strip on the field while under enemy fire and, during the first nine days of the operation, provided that field with the only available fire, crash and ambulance service. Despite inclement weather, intense enemy antiaircraft fire and constant bombing of its operational field, this squadron rendered invaluable service for more than two months, conducting extremely low-altitude searches, spotting and photographic missions over organized enemy positions to furnish thorough observation for all the Marine artillery units on Okinawa, serving as many as fourteen battalions during some periods. Though reduced in number by enemy action and operational losses, Marine Observation Squadron THREE effectively pursued its mission throughout a hazardous campaign and, by the indomitable courage and excellent teamwork of its officers and men, contributed immeasurably to the destruction of the Japanese on Okinawa.” For the President.
JAMES FORRESTAL, Secretary of the Navy.
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Washington.
The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending the
AMPHIBIOUS RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC
for service as follows:
“For outstanding heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Gilbert Islands, from November 19 to 26, 1943; the Marshall Islands, from January 30 to February 23, 1944; Mariana Islands, from June 15 to August 4, 1944; and Ryukyu Islands, from March 26 to July 24, 1945. The only unit of its kind in the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, the Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion rendered unique service in executing secret reconnaissance missions on enemy-held islands. Frequently landing at night from submarines and other vessels prior to the assault, the small unit entered areas where friendly aircraft, Naval gunfire and other forms of support were unavailable and, under cover of darkness, moved about in hostile territory virtually in the presence of enemy troops. Despite hazards incident to passage through dark and unfamiliar hostile waters, often through heavy surf onto rocky shores, the Battalion persevered in its mission to reconnoiter enemy islands and obtain information vital to our assault forces and, on several occasions, succeeded in overcoming all enemy resistance without the aid of regular troops. Carrying out its difficult tasks with courage and determination, the Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion contributed materially to the success of our offensive operations throughout four major campaigns and achieved a gallant record of service which reflects the highest credit upon its officers and men and the United States Naval Service.” All personnel attached to and serving with the Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion during one or more of the above-mentioned periods are authorized to wear the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION Ribbon.
JAMES FORRESTAL
Secretary of the Navy.
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Washington.
The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending the
FIRST SEPARATE ENGINEER BATTALION
for service as follows:
“For exceptionally meritorious service in support of military operations on Guadalcanal, December 10, 1942, to February 27, 1943; Tinian from August 20, 1944, to March 24, 1945; and Okinawa from April 14 to September 2, 1945. Faced with numerous and difficult problems in engineering throughout two major campaigns, the First Separate Engineer Battalion initiated new techniques and procedures in construction, repair and maintenance, executing its missions under adverse conditions of weather and terrain and in spite of Japanese shellings, artillery fire, bombing raids, sickness and tropical storms. Technically skilled, aggressive and unmindful of great personal danger, the officers and men of this gallant Battalion constructed, developed and maintained vital routes of communication, airfields and camp facilities; they served as combat engineer units in performing demolitions, mine detection and disposal and bomb disposal tasks in support of various units of the Fleet Marine Force; and they built bridges and repaired air-bombed air strips toward the uninterrupted operations of Allied ground and aerial forces. Undeterred by both mechanical and natural limitations, the First Separate Engineer Battalion completed with dispatch and effectiveness assigned and unanticipated duties which contributed immeasurably to the ultimate defeat of Japan and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.” All personnel attached to the First Separate Engineer Battalion during any of the above mentioned periods are hereby authorized to wear the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION Ribbon.
JAMES FORRESTAL
Secretary of the Navy.
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Washington.
The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending the
III AMPHIBIOUS CORPS SIGNAL BATTALION
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
“For extremely meritorious service in support of military operations, while attached to the I Marine Amphibious Corps during the amphibious assault on Bougainvillea, and attached to the III Amphibious Corps during operations at Guam, Palau and Okinawa, during the period from November 1, 1943 to June 21, 1945. The first American Signal Battalion to engage in amphibious landings in the Pacific Ocean Areas, the III Amphibious Corps Signal Battalion pioneered and developed techniques and procedures without benefit of established precedent, operating with limited and inadequate equipment, particularly in the earlier phase of these offensive actions, and providing its own security while participating in jungle fighting, atoll invasions and occupation of large island masses. Becoming rapidly experienced in guerrilla warfare and the handling of swiftly changing situations, this valiant group of men successfully surmounted the most difficult conditions of terrain and weather as well as unfamiliar technical problems and, working tirelessly without consideration for safety, comfort or convenience, provided the Corps with uninterrupted ship-shore and bivouac communication service continuously throughout this period. This splendid record of achievement, made possible only by the combined efforts, loyalty and courageous devotion to duty of each individual, was a decisive factor in the success of the hazardous Bougainvillea, Guam, Palau and Okinawa Campaigns and reflects the highest credit upon the III Amphibious Corps Signal Battalion and the United States Naval Service.” All personnel attached to the III Amphibious Corps Signal Battalion who actually participated in one or more of the Bougainvillea, Guam, Palau and Okinawa operations are hereby authorized to wear the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION Ribbon.
JAMES FORRESTAL
Secretary of the Navy