Distinguished Unit Citation
Battle Honors
The 675th Glider Field Artillery Battalion is cited
for outstanding performance of duty during the period 31 January to 5 February 1945.
During this period, this unit distinguished itself by the imposing part it played in the advance of an airborne division to Manila. Within twenty minutes after the 675th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, had landed on Nasugbu, Luzon, Philippine Islands on 31 January 1945, the twelve guns of the battalion were in position on the fire-swept beach supporting the advance of the Infantry, knocking out enemy machine guns and artillery and making possible the rapid destruction of the enemy beach defenses in this sector.
Throughout the next day the battalion supported the Infantry, even though the support had to be achieved through the movement of one entire battery by hand.
On the following days, the battalionprovided continuous support for the march on Manila, displacing over mountainous terrain which was fanatically defended from prepared enemy artillery and mortat positions.
During the final 38-mile advance on Manila continuous support was provided the column by rapid displacements under artillery and machine-gun fire.Though continually outranged by enemy artillery of larger caliber, the small guns of the battalion delivered effective counter-battery fire from exposed positions 700 to 1,000 yards in rear of the front lines.
On the following day the section marked the enemy-held drop zone with white phosphorus grenade for the jump of a parachute combat team.
During the 6-day period in which the battalion displaced a total of 65 miles, the rapid movement of the Infantry imposed upon the supply personnel, the communications personnel, and the commanders and staffs difficulties which seemed insurmountable with the limited facilities of the airborne equipment and transportation.
Superior command, decisions, and planning, with aggressive and courageous liaison and supervision, enabled the 675th Glider Field Artillery Battalion to function so effectively that at no time was the supported Infantry without maximum artillery support. Under the intense counterbattery shelling of the battalion from large naval guns on Nichols Field, the gun crews functioned coolly and smoothly, never leaving their pieces except to aid wounded crew members.
The courage, gallantry, and outstanding performance of duty of these men are in accordance with the highest traditions of the military service.
(General Orders No. 69, Headquarters Eighth Army,, 25 June 1945, as approved by the commander in Chief , Pacific.) [ General Order No. 68, War Department, Washington, 14 August 1945]
By Order of The Secretary of War