HEADQUARTERS 31ST INFANTRY DIVISION Office of the Division Commander GENERAL ORDERS APO 31 NUMBER 156 20 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: 3RD BATTALION, 124TH INFANTRY REGIMENT. The 3rd Battalion, 124th Infantry, is cited for outstanding performance of duty in action near Aitape, British New Guinea, during the period 12 July 1944 to 7 August 1944. On 12 July 1944, the 3rd Battalion, after a forced march of 12 miles, routed an enemy-held position east of the X-Ray River to secure a line of departure, to launch a counterattack to restore the line of the Driniumor River, which had been penetrated by a determined fanatical enemy force the previous day. The 3rd Battalion, with an exposed right flank, led the attack and by strong aggressive action reached its objective late in the afternoon of 13 July 1944. This battalion was subjected to intense automatic and small arms fire from three exposed flanks throughout the night, as other elements of the combat team had been delayed by a strong enemy force and could not close in on the objective. On 14 July 1944, the 3rd Battalion in an advance to close the left flank of the unit on their right, met sudden intensified enemy resistance from all directions. The 3rd Battalion fighting with sheer determination under the most adverse circumstances finally overpowered the enemy killing 168 enemy and severed and strongly secured the enemy's main supply route. This feat was accomplished so swiftly that an enemy supply train continued to advance down the trail directly into the strongest sector of the 3rd Battalion's perimeter, resulting in 131 enemy dead littering the trail and river bed. Shortly before daybreak on 16 July the 3rd Battalion was attacked by a well organized enemy force from the rear followed by a similar attack supported by mortar fire on the right flank by an enemy force occupying positions previously prepared by friendly troops. The opposition in that direction was quickly neutralized and one company of the battalion counterattacked to the right and drove the enemy from their position where 416 enemy were killed. Early on the morning of 21 July 1944, the enemy launched a vicious coordinated attack on the front and rear defense of the 3rd Battalion. There followed the most fanatical fighting up to this time as the enemy attacked the well defended positions of the battalion time and time again, only to be repulsed by a superior force. On 31 July 1944, the entire regiment, reinforced by an infantry battalion, launched a counter-attack, to the east toward Niumen Creek, to relieve the pressure on the extreme southern flank and to secure a position from which the enemy could by enveloped and cut off. The 3rd Battalion on the extreme right flank of three battalions abreast with the reinforcing battalion following reached its objective early in the afternoon of 1 August 1944. Turning south the 3rd Battalion encountered well prepared positions and the advance was halted due to the bitter opposition. Following the engagement 99 enemy dead were counted. The advance to the south continued through dense jungle, rough and swampy terrain, with the 3rd Battalion reaching the Afua trail far in advance of the battalion on its right. On 5 August 1944, while attacking south on Niumen Creek, the 3rd Battalion contacted strong dug-in positions, but by aggressive action digging the enemy from caves and spider fox-holes in solid rock, continued to advance until 1500. Heavy mortar fire was received during the night and the enemy launched a vigorous counterattack which was quickly repulsed by the 3rd Battalion. Immediately afterwards, the 3rd Battalion launched an attack fixing the enemy in position, while another battalion flanked to the enemy's left; then a vicious coordinated attack was launched, destroying and routing an estimated reinforced battalion, accounting for 425 enemy dead. As a result of the strenuous action on 5 and 6 August the whole enemy force was practically annihilated and the disorganized remnants of the force trapped. The 3rd Battalion was in constant contact with the desperate enemy force during the period of 13 July to 7 August 1944. The aggressive action of the 3rd Battalion, relentlessly driving the enemy through mud, swamps, dense jungle growth and over rough mountainous terrain during heavy prevailing rains, never allowing the enemy to consolidate and reorganize, played a major role in the liberation of Aitape and established another "stepping stone" for Allied armies to advance to the other strategic islands to the north. During this period the 3rd Battalion accounted for approximately 1300 enemy dead. The conspicuous gallantry and the outstanding performance of duty from 13 July to 7 August 1944 by all personnel of the 3rd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, reflects great credit upon themselves and the Battalion and upholds the highest traditions of the service. BY COMMAND OF BRIGADIER GENERAL HUTCHISON: OFFICIAL: MARK W. LANCE LT COL, ORD DEPT Actg Chief of Staff JAMES L. SLOSS, JR. 1st Lt, AGD Asst Adj Gen DISTRIBUTION: A, C & F. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This document is transcribed as written. Transcribed by Paul M. Webber on 27 March 2002. Home Page: http://home.pcisys.net/~pwebber/31_id/rtw.htm