HEADQUARTERS 82nd AIRBORNE DIVISION
Office of the Division Commander

APO 469 US Army
12 October 1945

GENERAL ORDERS:)
NUMBER 125)

NETHERLANDS DECREE, DATED 8 October 1945, AWARD OF THE "MILITAIRE WILLEMS ORDE" I MINISTERIAL DECREE, NETHERLANDS GOVERNMENT, 8 October 1945, WEARING OF THE ORANGE LANYARD, ROYAL NETHERLANDS ARMY II

I - NETHERLANDS DECREE:
Announcement is made of the Netherlands award of the "Militaire Willems Orde", degree of Knight of the fourth class, to the 82nd Airborne Division. The Netherlands Decree, dated 8 October 1945, is hereby quoted:

"WE WILHELMINA, by the Grace of God, Queen of Netherlands, Princess of Orange Nassau, etc., etc., etc. On the recommendation of Our Ministers of War and for Foreign Affairs, dated 3 October 1945, Secret Nr.Y.22; In accordance with the provisions of the amended Act of April 30, 1815 Nr.5 (Statue-Book Nr.33); In view of the clause 18 of the Regulations of administration and discipline for the "Militaire Willems Orde", as laid down in the Royal Decree of June 25, 1815, Nr. 10;

Considering that the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army during the airborne operations and the ensuing fighting action in the central part of the Netherlands in the period from September 17 to October 4, 1944, excelled in performing the tasks allotted to it, with tact, coupled with superior gallantry, self-sacrifice and loyalty;
Considering also that the actions fought by the aforesaid Division took place in the area of NIJMEGEN: HAVE APPROVED AND ORDERED:
1. To decree that the Divisional Colours of the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States army shall be decorated with the "MILITAIRE WILLEMS ORDE", degree of Knight of the fourth class;
2. To authorize the Division to carry in its Divisional Colours the name of the town of NIJMEGEN 1944. Our Ministers of War and for Foreign Affairs are each for his own part in charge of the execution of this Decree, copy of which shall be sent to the Chancellor of the Netherlands Orders of Knighthood.

THE HAGUE, October 8, 1945
(sgd.) WILHELMINA

THE MINISTER OF WAR
(sgd.) J. MELJNEN
THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS,
(sgd.)VAN KLEFFENS

II - MINISTERIAL DECREE, NETHERLANDS GOVERNMENT:
Ministerial Decree of the Netherlands Minister of War, dated 8 October 1945, granting the personnel of the 82nd Airborne Division who participated in operations during the period of 17 September to 4 October 1944, authority to wear the ORANGE LANYARD of the oyal Netherlands Army is quoted:

"MINISTERIAL DECREE OF THE NETHERLANDS MINISTER OF WAR, dated October 8, 1945, Section IIIA, Secret No-X25.

The Minister of War considering that the outstanding performance of duty of the 82nd Airborne Division, United States Army during the airborne operations and the ensuing fighting action in the central part of the NETHERLANDS in the period from September 17 to October 4, 1944, have induced HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN to decorate its Divisional Colours with the "MILITAIRE WILLEMS ORDE" degree of Knight of the fourth class; CONSIDERING also, that it is desirable for each member of the Division, who took part in the aforesaid operations, to possess a lasting memento of this glorious struggle:
DECREES: That each member of the personnel of the 82nd AIRBORNE DIVISION , UNITED STATES ARMY, who took part in the operationsin the area of NIJMEGEN in the period from September 17 to October 4, 1944, is allowed to wear the ORANGE LANYARD as laid down in article 123g of the Clothing Regulations/1944, of the Royal Netherlands Army.

THE HAGUE, October 8, 1945
THE MINISTER OF WAR
(Minister van Oorlog)