DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION, G/123

Company G, 123d Infantry Regiment, is cited for outstanding performance of duty in action against the enemy during the period 23 to 25 April 1945 on Northern Luzon, Philippine Islands. On 23 April 1945 under a sweltering sun, Company G, 123d Infantry Regiment, began its tortuous battle up the steep slopes of Hill 4900. At approximately one-third of the distance to the top, the company encountered intense enemy fire. Although suffering casualties, the tired fighting men of Company G fought on stubbornly, but were compelled ultimately to give ground. Withdrawing a short distance, a quick reorganization was effected and once again the men arose and moved forward to assault the enemy position, but again they were halted by the fiercest type of resistance and were compelled to dig in. A reconnaissance revealed no other route to the objective so, on the following morning, although suffering heavy casualties from enemy fire, heat, exhaustion, and lack of sufficient food and water, Company G with grim determination, launched a third ferocious attack on the enemy position. With every man in the company fighting his way up the extremely narrow ridge, even though an alarming number of men became casualties, those remaining stubbornly continued the advance, and in a final concerted effort, routed the enemy and seized his positions. Having gained this initial advantage, the men refused to stop. After a hasty reorganization, Company G continued the fight and, with renewed vigor, the fatigued and weary men pushed on down the reverse slope of the hill, seizing the town of Tuba 1 day earlier than had been considered possible. Despite the fact that more than 50 percent of the company were casualties and the men were near the point of exhaustion from the sustained drive, intolerable heat, and the rugged terrain over which they fought, the remaining men of Company G without consideration of lack of rest, food, and water continued the attack and began the tortuous advance up Mt. Santo Tomas, towering 7,100 feet in the air. At about 1815 on 25 April 1945, the company encountered heavy enemy resistance. Undaunted by the intense enemy fire, Company G arose twice to assault the enemy positions, but unable to advance, the men were finally compelled to dig in. On the following morning after a long night of constant vigil, and of continuous harassment by the enemy, the weary and fatigued men moved once again toward their objective. Imbued with an utterly indomitable fighting spirit, they met the enemy and refused to be halted. Despite the heavy casualties suffered in the fiercest type of close-in fighting, the gallant fighting men of Company G continued on, completely wiping out an entire company, knocking out four machine guns and three knee mortars, penetrating the enemy positions, and then continuing on to seize the summit of the 7,100-foot peak, thus securing the right flank of the troops advancing on Baguio. The determination, unflinching devotion to duty, and superb courage displayed by each man of Company G, 123d 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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