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DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION, C/130
Company C, 130th Infantry Regiment, is cited for outstanding performance of
duty in armed conflict with the enemy. Bilbil Mountain, Mountain Province,
Luzon, Philippine Islands, an extremely rugged forest-covered, key defensive
position was occupied by a company of Japs re-enforced with a heavy machine-gun
section, a 90mm mortar section, and two sections (two guns) of 75mm howitzers.
This commanding ground afforded excellent observation and enabled the enemy to
maneuver its forces and supporting weapons to advantageous positions to repel
successfully seven previous attempts to seize Hill X, the strategically
important knob on the southwestern slope of Bilbil Mountain. Hill X was
honeycombed with prepared positions from which the enemy observed and harassed
our movements along the Galiano-Baguio Road. On April 12, 1945, Company C, under
the sweltering sun, laboriously climbed the steep mountainous trail, following
the crest of an extremely narrow hogback ridge which, except for short cogon
grass and sparse bamboo growths, was devoid of cover, and pushed to within 400
yards of the crest of Hill X where they were met by a heavy barrage of 90mm
mortar fire which enveloped the entire ridge. Simultaneously, intense enemy
machine-gun and rifle fire emanating from the many camouflaged spider-holes and
caves astride the trail inflicted many casualties, forcing the company to dig
in. A reconnaissance revealed no other route to the objective so the company
evacuated its casualties and aggressively pressed against this seemingly
impenetrable fortress throughout the day, making the enemy disclose his strong
points. On 13 April 1945, despite the fact that the men were weary from the
strenuous climb, fierce fighting, and constant watchfulness against night
infiltration, the company launched a dawn attack. Undaunted by the intense fire
which inflicted five casualties to the leading elements, the gallant fighting
men of Company C, imbued with an indomitable fighting spirit, swiftly worked
their way up the knifelike ridge and in the fiercest kind of close-in fighting
wiped out six Jap machine-gun nests in succession, killing the defending Japs in
their holes. The enemy fanatically contested with intense fire every foot of the
way to the summit, but undismayed, Company C seized Hill X and dug in,
tenaciously holding on despite continuous harassing fire delivered from .the
dominating positions on Bilbil Mountain. That night the Japs reinforced Bilbil
Mountain and subjected Company C to repeated counterattacks. Another company
sent to assist in the attack on Bilbil Mountain on 14 April 1945 succeeded in
reaching the summit only to be driven off by a fierce Jap counterattack. The
full fury and power of the Japs were again turned on Company C which alone held
its position, successfully repulsing all of the severe and determined
counterattacks. The tired fighting men of Company C exhibiting unwavering
fighting spirit, despite nearly 50 percent casualties, tenaciously held Hill X
for 5 days until reinforcements were available to continue the attack and
annihilate the enemy. In the accomplishment of this mission, the unflinching
devotion to duty and superb courage displayed by each man of Company C, 130th
Infantry Regiment, reflect the highest traditions of the armed forces.
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