HEADQUARTERS 31ST INFANTRY DIVISION Office of the Division Commander GENERAL ORDERS APO 31 NUMBER 87 16 JULY 1945 BATTLE HONORS.-Pursuant to authority contained in Section IV, Circular Number 333, War Department, 1943, the Commanding General, 31st Infantry Division, desires to give recognition to the following unit for deserved honor and distinction: MEDICAL DETACHMENT, 124th INFANTRY REGIMENT. The Medical Detachment, 124th Infantry Regiment is cited for outstanding performance of duty in action in Mindanao, Philippine Islands, during the period 6 May 1945 to 12 May 1945. On 6 May 1945, the 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, advanced north along the Sayre Highway from Kibawe with the mission of seizing the Maramag Air Strip and opening the highway to this point. Two miles south of their objective the lead- ing elements of the Battalion entered an exceptionally dense tropical rain forest. Here they encountered heavy, accurate, controlled fire from an estimated battalion of the enemy occupying a long prepared, well camouflaged, defensive position organized in depth. The 1st Battalion launched a determined attack, assaulting the position several times but were unable to dislodge the enemy from his fortifications. Casualties were heavy. After the successive assaults, a large number of the wounded remained in advance of our lines. All personnel of the Battalion Medical Section, as well as personnel from the Regimental Med- ical Section, voluntarily went forward to augment the strength of the company aid men. For three hours, under heavy enemy fire, the medical personnel found, treated and evacuated fifty casualties, many of which were 20 and 30 yards in front of our lines. In performance of this duty three medical technicians were killed, the Assistant Battalion Surgeon and one aid man severely wounded and three aid men slightly wounded. On 7th May 1945 the 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, reinforced the 1st Battalion with the mission of taking the fortified positions and clearing the woods of the enemy. The 2nd Battalion advanced 200 yards through the underbrush when it encountered the same fierce resistance that had faced the 1st Battalion the day before. The position was assaulted but the advance was stopped. Again numerous casualties remained where they had fallen in front of enemy positions. In order to care for and remove all the wounded in as short a period as possible, the entire 2nd Battalion Medical Section came forward to assist the company aid men. Throughout the day men of the 2nd Battal- ion Medical Section made numerous trips 20 and 30 yards in front of our lines, in the face of heavy enemy small arms and grenade fire to find, treat and evac- uate approximately 40 severely wounded men. In the performance of this duty the Section Leader was killed, two aid men were seriously wounded and three of the medical personnel, though not wounded, had bullet holes in their clothing. On 7 May 1945, the 3rd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, with the mission of seizing an objective in rear of the enemy fortified position, thereby cutting communic- ation to the rear, advanced around the flank of the 2nd Battalion in an encircling movement. In executing this mission the 3rd Battalion crossed a flat open grass- land between areas of heavy woods. As the rear of the battalion, where the Bat- talion Medical Section was marching, crossed this open grassland, the enemy launched a furious banzai attack. In the fight that ensued a number of casualties were incurred by our troops. Though the terrain was open, and in full view of the enemy, the personnel of the 3rd Battalion Medical Section treated the wounded, in spite of heavy machine gun, rifle and mortar fire. For several hours the Medical Section, along with several riflemen, were cut off from the Battalion. Never the less the medical personnel continued to search for, treat and collect casualties. When contact was reestablished the wounded were evacuated. The Medical Section then returned to make another reconnaissance of the open area for other wounded though they were still endangered by enemy fire. In so doing, the personnel of the Medical Section were the last to leave this scene of conflict. This act not only saved the lives of several of the fifteen severely wounded men and the ten to fifteen slightly wounded but was also responsible from keeping several of the wounded from falling into the hands of a fanatical enemy. The Battalion Surgeon, although severely wounded in this action, would not permit treatment of his wounds until the other casualties had been cared for and removed to safety. Two medical non commisioned officers were killed, one by enemy bayonet wounds while he was attempting to reach a wounded man. The resistance of the enemy in and about the woods was so well camouflaged, dug in, organized and stubborn that the fighting of all three Battalions continued for a period of six days before our troops completely annihilated the enemy. During this period of time the entire Medical Detachment continued to go forward to treat and remove casualties from areas in front of our lines or from areas commanded by enemy sniper fire. The conspicuous gallantry and outstanding performance of duty from 6 May 1945 to 12 May 1945 by all personnel of the Medical Detachment, 124th Infantry Regiment was an inspiration to the troops advancing along the Sayre Highway, reflected great credit upon themselves and the Medical Department, and upheld the highest traditions of the Service. BY COMMAND OF MAJOR GENERAL MARTIN: OFFICIAL: John C. Duckworth Lt Colonel, GSC Chief of Staff RUSS T. WHITE Lt Colonel, AGD Adjutant General DISTRIBUTION: A, C & F. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This document is transcribed as written. Transcribed by Paul M. Webber on 25 March 2002. Home Page: http://home.pcisys.net/~pwebber/31_id/rtw.htm