HEADQUARTERS 31ST INFANTRY DIVISION Office of the Division Commander GENERAL ORDERS APO 31 NUMBER 146 12 September 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: SECOND BATTALION, 124th INFANTRY. The Second Battalion, 124th Infantry, is cited for outstanding performance of duty in action against the enemy, on Mindanao, Philippine Islands, during the period 22 April 1945 to 27 June 1945. The battalion landed at Cotabato, Philippine Islands on 22 April 1945 and secured the area. Contact was established and forces committed in direction of Sarangani Bay and Nuro. The next day the battalion was withdrawn from this action and directed to spearhead an infantry division advancing into the interior. This operation was aimed at securing the Sayre highway thereby cutting the main supply route and line of communications between the two enemy strongholds at Davao in the south and Cagayan in the north. The battalion embarked from Cotabato on the evening of 26 April 1945 in LCM's for Fort Pikit. The shortage of craft prevented the movement of organic vehicles and all weapons had to be hand carried. The battalion made a forced march of 16 miles immediately upon landing, the advance elements crossing the Pulangi River at its junction with the Sayre Highway during the night. A bridgehead was established and contact with the enemy was made at once. The entire battalion closed into the bridgehead at 1500 the same day, moving under adverse weather conditions and over difficult terrain. After only three hours rest, reports were received of an enemy force advancing south to the critical junction of the Sayre Highway and Highway Number 1 near Kabacan endangering the entire operation. At 1800 the battalion moved north to contact and destroy the enemy. At 2300, after advancing 10 miles, the battalion met strong and determined opposition in a night fire fight. The engagement lasted through the night, the entire battalion being committed to halt the advance of a strong fanatical force determined to destroy the critical bridgehead across the Pulangi River. The enemy was stopped and driven to the north by 0530, completely disorganized. The battalion had been without sleep for three nights, and had made forced marches by land and overwater movement by boat over a distance of 71 miles. Nevertheless, they reorganized, and at 0800 inititated a relentless pursuit of the enemy for an additional five miles. A captured field order identified the opposing force as a reinforced battalion supported by 75 mm guns. The enemy was completely disorganized from the fight and the aggressive pursuit of the battalion, and were destroyed in detail. The battalion was relieved on 29 April 1945 after seven days of continuous fighting and marching without rest and moved in support of the lead battalion. Three days later they were committed to the east on the Kibawe-Talomo Trail, the route of the enemy withdrawal, and for 3 days fought a suicidal force endeavoring to get across the Pulangi River. The advance of the rest of the combat team was held up by a strong force in well organized positions on ideal defensive terrain in the Pinalay Lake area. The battalion was then committed to this engagement, and for the next 4 days attacked the position from the flanks and the rear. On the fourth day, supported for the first time by artillery fire, the battalion overran the position and was credited with 106 of the 187 enemy found killed. The next night the enemy launched a counterattack against the battalion perimeter which lasted throughout the night. The attack was repulsed and 73 of the enemy were killed in the engagement. On 15 May 1945 they were committed to the capture of Silae, an enemy stronghold protecting a crossing of the Pulangi River. They broke the enemy line and pushed forward to secure the town in the same day. The deep, swift-flowing river was crossed at two points by use of field expedients, and the remainder of the enemy force was either destroyed or driven into the mountains east of the river. The battalion was relieved and assembled in Malaybalay on 27 June 1945. The aggressive action of the battalion, continually driving the enemy before them, never allowing him to reorganize or consolidate, played a major role in the liberation of Mindanao in advance of the highest expectations. During the period, a total of 67 days, the battalion was in direct contact with the enemy 50 days. Of the remaining time, only 4 days were available for rest and recuperation. The battalion accounted for 430 enemy killed, 117 found dead, and 5 prisoners of war. The conspicuous gallantry and outstanding performance of duty from 22 April 1945 to 27 June 1945 by all members of the Second Battalion, 124th Infantry, reflected great credit upon themselves and the battalion and upheld the highest traditions of the Service. BY COMMAND OF BRIGADIER GENERAL HUTCHISON: OFFICIAL: JOHN C. DUCKWORTH Colonel, GSC Chief of Staff CHARLES B. PORTER Major, AGD Actg Adj Gen DISTRIBUTION: A, C & F. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This document is transcribed as written. The Commanding General of the 31st Infantry Division at this time was Brigadier General Joseph C. Hutchison. Transcribed by Paul M. Webber on 27 March 2002. Home Page: http://home.pcisys.net/~pwebber/31_id/rtw.htm