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| Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon |
The 325th Glider Infantry unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its actions during
the Normandy campaign. The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and
cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or after December 7, 1941. The
unit must display such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult
and hazardous conditions so as to set it apart from and above other units participating in the same campaign. The degree of
heroism required is the same as that which would warrant the award of a Distinguished Service Cross to an individual
Below is an excerpt from a copy of General Order No.14, War Department, dated 5 March
1945. It has been in the possession of Wesley Ko all these years.
For clarity, the above text reads as follows:
“The
325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, is cited for gallantry and outstanding performance
of duty during the assault on the coast of Normandy, France, 7 to 9 June, 1944. Completing
the first glider landing of such a force in history, the regiment, arrived over the Cotentin peninsula at 0700 on 7 June. Faced with intense artillery, machine gun and antiaircraft fire, the formations were
dispersed and forced to land from 2,000 to 7,000 yards distance from the designated landing zone. Despite opposition form static and mobile enemy groups and mortar, artillery, and automatic weapons fire
from every direction, rapid assembly was effected and the enemy driven out of the area near Carquebut by 1500.
“On the following day, with reinforcements
of parachute elements, the enemy was driven north of Ste. Mere Eglise to Neuville au Plain and Fresville and was prevented
from crossing the Merderet River near La Fiere. During the night of 8 –
9 June, crossings of the inundated area west of the Merderet and of the river near the bridge at La Fiere were accomplished. Driving into the center of the vastly superior German forces, after one of the fiercest
and bitterest battles fought inland from the beaches, the bridgehead was secured and the 90th Division enabled
to pass through the following day. The gallantry and courage shown by all members
of the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, are worthy of emulation and reflect the
highest traditions of the United States Army.”
Belgian Fourragere
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| Belgian Fourragere |
CITED IN THE ORDER OF THE DAY of the Belgian Army, by Decree No. 1034, 4 October
1945, by Charles, Prince of Belgium, Regent of the Kingdom, with the following citation:
This elite division which
had gone with great elan through the campaigns of Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, Holland and France, again distinguished itself particularly
in the battle of the Ardennes from 17 to 31 December 1944. Called upon as a reinforcement by the Allied High Command in the
evening of 17 December at the time they were in the vicinity of Reims, the division was able to take up combat positions in
the region of Werbomont only 24 hours later and this under very severe climatic conditions. Progressing toward Ambleve and
the Salm, the division opened and maintained a corridor for the elements of the four American divisions which were surrounded
in the vicinity of St. Vith, thus giving new courage to the engaged units. The division had prevented the enemy from piercing
the north flank of the pocket created by Von Rundstedt and thus succeeded in saving the city of Liege and its surroundings
from the second occupation by the Germans.
CITED IN THE ORDER OF THE DAY of the Belgian
Army, by decree No. 1034, 4 October 1945, by Charles, Prince of Belgium, Regent of the Kingdom, with the following citation:
After
having excelled in the defensive warfare at the banks of the Salm and the Ambleve, and after having repelled successfully
the repeated attacks of the best German shock troops, the 82nd Airborne Division with the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment
attached, in spite of the extreme cold and excessively deep snow, went on the offensive themselves and advanced to the German
border, capturing 2,500 German prisoners, including 5 battalion commanders. This fighting was extremely valorous as the organic
composition of the division handicapped the unit considerably, not having at their disposal, as any other infantry division
would have, heavy weapons in support of their attack. During 23 days, under the most painful and adverse conditions, the veterans
of the 82nd Airborne Division did not cease to give a wonderful example of courage and heroism, exemplifying their fighting
spirit by several remarkably brilliant actions. By its valor, the division wrote another page in heroic annals of Allied Airborne
troops and rendered an important service to Belgium and to the Allied cause by establishing the necessary basis for the pursuit
of the enemy toward the Rhine River.
BELGIAN FOURRAGERE (1940), awarded under decree No. 1034, 4 October 1945,
by Charles, Prince of Belgium, Regent of the Kingdom.
Netherlands Military Order of William
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| Order of William Lanyard |
NETHERLANDS MILITARY ORDER OF WILLIAM (Decree of the Knight of the Fourth Class) awarded under Royal Decree No. 30, 8 October
1945, by Wilhelmenia, Queen of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau, with the following citation:
Considering
that the 82d Airborne Division of the United States Army, during the airborne operations and the ensuing fighting actions
in the central part of the Netherlands in the period from 17 September to 4 October 1944, excelled in performing the tasks
allotted to it, with tact, coupled with superior gallantry, self-sacrifice and loyalty; considering also, that the
actions of the aforesaid division took place in the area of Nijmegen; have approved and ordered,
1.
To decree that the divisional colors of the 82d Airborne Division of the United States Army shall be decorated with the Military
Order of William, degree of the knight of the fourth class;
2. To authorize the division to carry
in its divisional colors, the name of the town of NIJMEGEN 1944.
NETHERLANDS ORANGE LANYARD, awarded under Ministerial
Decree No. X 25, 8 October 1945, by the Netherlands Minister of War, with the following citation:
Considering that
the outstanding performance of duty of the 82d Airborne Division, United States Army, during the airborne operations and the
ensuing fighting actions in the central part of the Netherlands from the period 17 September to October 1944, has induced
HER MAJESTY, THE QUEEN, to decorate its divisional colors with the Military Order of William, degree of the knight of the
fourth class; considering also, that it is desirable for each member of the personnel of the 82d Airborne Division, United
States Army, who took part in aforesaid operations, to possess a lasting momento of this glorious struggle; decrees:
that each member of the 82d Airborne Division, United States Army, who took part in the operations in the area of Nijmegen
in the period 17 September to 4 October 1944 is allowed to wear the Orange Lanyard of the Royal Netherlands Army.
French Fourragere
FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM, awarded under decision
No. 159, 6 April 1946, by the President of the Provisional Government of the French Republic, with the following citation:
A
crack unit that brilliantly distinguished itself during the dropping of the 82d Airborne Division over France in the night
of 5-6 June 1944. In spite of the stiff resistance of the enemy and its very heavy losses, it managed by its military
qualities and the gallantry of its personnel, to occupy the important position of Saint Mere l’Eglise, thus making possible
the success of the landing in strength of the Allied liberating troops.
FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM, awarded under decision No. 160, 6 April 1946,
by the president of the Provisional Government of the French Republic, with the following citation:
A splendid unit, renowned for the gallantry and spirit of sacrifice of its
fighting men. It displayed the finest military qualities during the battle of Normandy. It formed part of the
82d Airborne Division and occupied central road points and river communications commanding the access to the landing beaches
of the Cotentin. It sacrificed itself on the banks of the Merderet and the Douve, at Saint Sauveur le Vicomte, and at
Etienneville from 6 to 20 June 1944, in order to stem at all cost the advance of the German reinforcements which far outnumbered
them in strength and manpower. It forced the enemy to remain on the defensive, thus permitting the arrival of the main
Allied force.
FRENCH FOURRAGERE in the colors of the Croix de Guerre, awarded under Decision No. 161, 6 April
1946, by the President of the Provisional Government of the French Republic.
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