War Department General Order Number 42, 1945

Presidential Unit Citation (Army)

Streamer embroidered STOLBERG

As authorized by Executive Order 9306 (sec. I, WD Bul 22, 1943) superceding Executive Order 9075 (se. III, WD Bul. 11, 1942) citation of the following unit in General Orders 37, Headquarters 1st United States Infantry Division, 12 February 1945, as approved by the Commanding General, European Theater of Operations, is confirmed under the provisions of section IV, WD Circular 333, 1943 in the name of the President of the United States as public evidence of deserved honor and distinction. The citation reads as follows:

The 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry is cited for outstanding performance of duty in action. On 13 September 1944, the 1st Battalion was assigned the mission of supporting an armored task force in its drive to smash the outer defenses of the Siegfried Line and to seize commanding ground to the east of Aachen. Antitank obstacles retarded the progress of armored infantry and tanks, and the battalion was committed to overrun strongly fortified defensive positions in the vicinity of Nutheim. In two days of fierce fighting the 1st Battalion succeed in over-powering enemy defenses to the left of Nutheim and between the village and the antitank barriers. This fighting force then attacked Busbach, a town held by an enemy battalion supported by heavy artillery and mortar batteries and reinforced with tanks and antitank fire. Vigorous hostile resistance was counterbalanced by an insuperable urge to close with and destroy the enemy. Undaunted by concerted hostile fire, this unit grimly pushed into the town, engaged in intense street fighting, captured or killed the enemy and took its objective. On 17 September 1944, after an armored infantry unit had failed to breach enemy defenses, the 1st Battalion was given the vital mission of seizing Diepenlinchen and Weissenberg. Although totally outnumbered by the 89th German Infantry Regt. and constantly harassed by preregistered enemy artillery and mortar concentrations, this fighting force assaulted Diepenlinchen. The men fought bravely and valiantly, but numerically superior forces compelled our infantry to retire to a position south of the town where preparations were made for a renewed attack on the following morning. Once again the enemy poured deadly fire into our ranks, inflicting severe losses on attackers. Strengthened with reinforcements and additional guns, the enemy fought savagely, tenaciously refusing to yield ground, but sheer dint of courage and magnificent fighting spirit of this infantry unit achieved another glorious victory. Despite enormous losses incurred in this offensive, the 1st Battalion, allowing the enemy no respite, assaulted Stolberg at 0700 hours on 21 September 1944. Withering artillery fire from enemy batteries split the attacking forces; the infantry gained the outer reaches of the town, while the tanks suffered heavy losses. Elements of the 105 Panzer Grenadier Brigade, defending the town and offering defiant resistance, employed antitank, machine gun and mortar fire and fanatically held their positions until either killed or overpowered by our unrelenting pressure on the following day when assigned objectives in the town were secured. During the period 13-22 September 1944, the 1st Battalion demonstrated unwavering courage and matchless aggressiveness in the face of tremendous odds in attaining every objective, fighting gallantly and bravely and displaying conspicuous combat skill and devotion to duty despite casualties which greatly depleted its ranks. The 1st Battalion's losses in this sustained drive included 27 killed, 157 wounded and 41 missing. Over 300 prisoners were taken and twice as many enemy soldiers were killed or seriously wounded. The unconquerable spirit and extra-ordinary heroism displayed by the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, in accomplishing all attack missions against five important German towns, paved the way for more deadly blows against the Germans, and rendered an invaluable contribution to the Allied cause.