DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION, I/136

Company I, 136th Infantry Regiment, is cited for outstanding performance of duty in action against the enemy during the period 26 March 1945 to 28 March 1945, in the vicinity of Baguio, Northern Luzon, Philippine Islands. On 26 March 1945 our forces were making a drive on the city of Baguio in Northern Luzon, along the Kennon Road, which ran up a narrow defile bordered by towering mountains on either side. The positions of our troops were seriously threatened by enemy forces on a well defined ridge east of the Kennon Road. This ridge was strongly fortified and was used by the enemy as a base from which to launch counterattacks on our forces. To relieve this situation, a battalion was ordered to seize this position and annihilate the enemy. Company I, an assault company, began its movement on the night of 25 March 1945. In order to reach positions from which it could attack, it was necessary for the company to scale the heights of a fifty-five hundred foot mountain, and then proceed down the other side to the enemy position. All that night and all the next day, the company worked its way forward despite the ever present menace of enemy observation. At 1215 hours, after thirty-six hours of movement over difficult terrain, the company found itself confronted with strong enemy positions, honeycombed with foxholes and caves, defended by a company of the enemy. Due to the nature of the terrain, it was impossible to place artillery fire on the enemy strong points located on the crest of the objective. Only 60mm mortars and light machine guns could be used in support. Later when the men of Company I launched their attack, they encountered the full fury of the enemy's machine guns, rifles and grenades, from concealed positions commanding the crest of the hill. At 1630 hours, after a continuous fire fight which had lasted three-and-one-half hours, Company 1 halted its attack and began reorganizing. During the night, the exhausted men were harassed by numerous infiltration attempts on the part of the enemy. On the following morning the company, with renewed determination, moved forward and secured its objective, killing over fifty-two of the enemy. The determination, the unflinching devotion to duty, and the superb courage displayed by each man of Company I, 136th Infantry Regiment, contributed immeasurably to the success of operations in Northern Luzon, and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.

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