DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION, F/123

Company F, 136th Infantry Regiment, is cited for outstanding performance of duty in action against the enemy during the period 9th April to 11th April 1945, on Northern Luzon, Philippine Islands. At 1600 on 9th April 1945, Company F completed relief of a much larger unit in position on Skyline Ridge, Nueva Viscaya Province, Northern Luzon. The position was on a high, barren ridge, well out in advance of all other forces of the Regiment in that sector, and constituted the right flank of the Division. Three miles to the Southeast was the left flank of the adjacent Division. In front were strong forces of the enemy. Company F was still engaged in consolidating its new position when the enemy, who had been watching from adjacent heights, suddenly opened up with heavy machine-gun and mortar fire in preparation for an attack. Throughout the remaining daylight hours the men were pinned to their foxholes by the fierceness of the enemy fire. At nightfall, the company braced itself for the inevitable attack. At midnight the enemy struck on the right flank of the position. Although the men of Company F laid down a barrage of artillery, mortar, rifle and grenade fire, some of the fanatical enemy, attacking in superior numbers, succeeded in penetrating the position with light machine guns, fixed bayonets, grenades and demolitions. The attack continued with unabated fury throughout the night. Only as dawn came, were the men of Company F, by the toughest type of hand-to-hand fighting, and heavy supporting fires of friendly 81mm mortars and artillery, able to stop the attack and expel the enemy from the position. Many enemy had been killed, but as daylight came, it could be seen that the enemy had surrounded the position on all sides. Wire communications and supply lines had been cut and the company was completely isolated. The supply of food, water, ammunition, and especially grenades was nearly exhausted. The only means of re-supply was by air. Although this means was utilized, many of the supplies fell into the hands of the surrounding enemy, and although the company did receive some water, small-arms and mortar ammunition, food and grenades were still lacking. Throughout the day, despite constant harassment by the enemy, the company labored in the sweltering heat to reorganize the position and prepare for further attacks. Reinforcements were ordered but the men knew that they must hold the vital position by themselves, until help could arrive. On several occasions, sorties were made to dislodge strong groups of enemy who had dug in near the flanks of the position. It was vital that these enemy be destroyed before nightfall, and with ferocious courage, small groups of Company F sallied forth and, so fierce were their attacks that in one of these sallies, thirty-two of a total enemy force of forty were killed in their positions, and the remaining eight were forced to flee. As night fell the company crouched in its foxholes awaiting the attack, outnumbered, but unafraid. At 0100 the blasting of grenades, mortars and demolitions covered the entire position. The enemy swarmed in, only to be met with withering fire of friendly artillery and mortars and the ready bayonets of the heroic defenders. Using every means of fighting at their disposal, the men of Company F destroyed the enemy in such numbers that once more he was forced to withdraw. One hundred thirty-seven enemy lay dead before the position; however, the company had also suffered. Only a little more than half of the original ninety-seven men were still in condition to fight. Throughout the next day, the gallant company withstood incessant hammering by enemy machine guns and mortars. Although completely surrounded and short on supplies, the company, realizing the importance of its position, prepared itself once more to withstand all the assaults the enemy could launch. Meanwhile, friendly reinforcements had moved into other commanding positions in the area and orders were issued to the battered but unbeaten men to withdraw. At dark, on the 11th of April, under a heavy artillery barrage, the company began its movement out of the position which it had held at so great a cost. The courage of the heroic company had succeeded in destroying twice its number of enemy, had held vital terrain protecting the flanks of two Divisions and had prevented enemy interference with other friendly operations in that sector. The determination, the unflinching devotion to duty and the superb courage displayed by each man of Company F, 136th Infantry Regiment, were major factors in the success of operations in Northern Luzon, and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.

Back || Documents || Medals