254th Infantry Regiment- Page 9
Presidential Unit Citations Received
By direction of the President of the United States of America, the Presidential Unit Citation is awarded to the 3rd Infantry Division, with the following attached units: 254th Infantry Regiment, 63rd
Infantry Division. Fighting incessantly from 22 Jan to 6 Feb 1945, in heavy snow storms, through enemy infested marshes and woods and over a flat plain crisscrossed by numerous small canals,
irrigation ditches and unfordable streams, terrain ideally suited to the defense, breached the German defense wall on the northern perimeter of the Colmar Bridgehead and drove forward to isolate Colmar
from the Rhine. Crossing the Fecht River from Guemar, Alsace, by stealth during the late hours of darkness of 22 January, the assault elements fought their way forward against mounting resistance.
Reaching the Ill River, a bridge was thrown across, but collapsed before armor could pass to the support of two battalions of the 30th Infantry on the far side. Isolated and attacked by a full German
Panzer brigade, outnumbered and out gunned, these valiant troops were forced back, yard by yard. Wave after wave of armor and infantry was hurdled against them but despite hopeless odds the
regiment held tenaciously to the bridgehead. Driving forward in knee-deep snow, which masked acres of densely sown mines, the 3rd Infantry Division fought from house to house and street to street in
the fortress towns of the Alsatian Plain. Under furious concentrations of supporting fire, assault troops crossed the Colmar Canal in rubber boats during the night of 29 January. Driving relentlessly
forward, six towns were captured within 8 hours, 500 casualties were inflected on the enemy during the day, and large quantities of booty seized. Slashing through to the Rhine-Rhone Canal, the garrison
at Colmar was cut off and the fall of the city assured. Shifting the direction of attack, the division moved south between the Rhine-Rhone Canal and the Rhine toward Neuf Brisach and the Brisach
Bridge. Synchronizing the attacks, the bridge was seized and Neuf Brisach captured by crossing the protecting moat and scaling the medieval walls by ladder. In one of the hardest fought and bloodiest
campaigns of the war, the 3rd Infantry Division annihilated three enemy divisions, partially destroyed three others and captured over 4000 prisoners and inflicted more than 7500 casualties on the enemy
(WDGO 44, 6 Jun 1945)
Infantry Division. Fighting incessantly from 22 Jan to 6 Feb 1945, in heavy snow storms, through enemy infested marshes and woods and over a flat plain crisscrossed by numerous small canals,
irrigation ditches and unfordable streams, terrain ideally suited to the defense, breached the German defense wall on the northern perimeter of the Colmar Bridgehead and drove forward to isolate Colmar
from the Rhine. Crossing the Fecht River from Guemar, Alsace, by stealth during the late hours of darkness of 22 January, the assault elements fought their way forward against mounting resistance.
Reaching the Ill River, a bridge was thrown across, but collapsed before armor could pass to the support of two battalions of the 30th Infantry on the far side. Isolated and attacked by a full German
Panzer brigade, outnumbered and out gunned, these valiant troops were forced back, yard by yard. Wave after wave of armor and infantry was hurdled against them but despite hopeless odds the
regiment held tenaciously to the bridgehead. Driving forward in knee-deep snow, which masked acres of densely sown mines, the 3rd Infantry Division fought from house to house and street to street in
the fortress towns of the Alsatian Plain. Under furious concentrations of supporting fire, assault troops crossed the Colmar Canal in rubber boats during the night of 29 January. Driving relentlessly
forward, six towns were captured within 8 hours, 500 casualties were inflected on the enemy during the day, and large quantities of booty seized. Slashing through to the Rhine-Rhone Canal, the garrison
at Colmar was cut off and the fall of the city assured. Shifting the direction of attack, the division moved south between the Rhine-Rhone Canal and the Rhine toward Neuf Brisach and the Brisach
Bridge. Synchronizing the attacks, the bridge was seized and Neuf Brisach captured by crossing the protecting moat and scaling the medieval walls by ladder. In one of the hardest fought and bloodiest
campaigns of the war, the 3rd Infantry Division annihilated three enemy divisions, partially destroyed three others and captured over 4000 prisoners and inflicted more than 7500 casualties on the enemy
(WDGO 44, 6 Jun 1945)
Colmar, France
Jebsheim, France
By direction of the President of the United States of America, the Presidential Unit Citation is awarded to the Second Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division for outstanding
performance of duty during the period 25-29 January 1945, in capturing the heavily fortified and defended stronghold of Jebsheim, France, in the Colmar Pocket. Attacking in subzero weather through
fierce winds and deep, numbing snow, the 2d Battalion met stalwart, determined resistance from machine guns in pillboxes, small arms fire, and heavy artillery fire. It was apparent that the Germans were
stubbornly determined to hold this last stronghold in the Colmar Pocket, the key city of their well planned defense arc. The men of the 2d Battalion fought their way to the Blind River and waded the icy-
swift flowing stream under a devastating barrage. Slowly and grimly the men advanced, though suffering heavy casualties in the intense fire from three directions, took the concrete bunkers with the aid of
tank destroyers and eliminated the resistance before the town which had previously turned back entire regiments. Penetrating the flaming town the men fought bitterly against the desperate and determine
defender, neither giving nor asking quarter. In 2 days of house-to-house, floor-to-floor and room-to-room fighting, the town was lost and regained three times. While enemy 88mm guns from the woods
to the east poured fire on the unit, the exhausted and frozen men fought violently to gain the past portion of the city still held by the enemy. So fierce and determine was their attack that the enemy
marched out of their strong points and surrendered. The fierceness of their resistance lends credence to their statements the Jebsheim was being used as a Corps headquarters. With the fall of Jebsheim
to the 2d Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, the hub of German resistance in the strong Colmar Pocket was broken and another vital portion of France was liberated. The indomitable courage,
fortitude, determination and zeal of the men of the 2d Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division are a shining example to their fellow countrymen and reflect the highest credit on them and
the armed forces of the United States (WE GO 42, 7 May 1946)
performance of duty during the period 25-29 January 1945, in capturing the heavily fortified and defended stronghold of Jebsheim, France, in the Colmar Pocket. Attacking in subzero weather through
fierce winds and deep, numbing snow, the 2d Battalion met stalwart, determined resistance from machine guns in pillboxes, small arms fire, and heavy artillery fire. It was apparent that the Germans were
stubbornly determined to hold this last stronghold in the Colmar Pocket, the key city of their well planned defense arc. The men of the 2d Battalion fought their way to the Blind River and waded the icy-
swift flowing stream under a devastating barrage. Slowly and grimly the men advanced, though suffering heavy casualties in the intense fire from three directions, took the concrete bunkers with the aid of
tank destroyers and eliminated the resistance before the town which had previously turned back entire regiments. Penetrating the flaming town the men fought bitterly against the desperate and determine
defender, neither giving nor asking quarter. In 2 days of house-to-house, floor-to-floor and room-to-room fighting, the town was lost and regained three times. While enemy 88mm guns from the woods
to the east poured fire on the unit, the exhausted and frozen men fought violently to gain the past portion of the city still held by the enemy. So fierce and determine was their attack that the enemy
marched out of their strong points and surrendered. The fierceness of their resistance lends credence to their statements the Jebsheim was being used as a Corps headquarters. With the fall of Jebsheim
to the 2d Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, the hub of German resistance in the strong Colmar Pocket was broken and another vital portion of France was liberated. The indomitable courage,
fortitude, determination and zeal of the men of the 2d Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division are a shining example to their fellow countrymen and reflect the highest credit on them and
the armed forces of the United States (WE GO 42, 7 May 1946)
Ensheim/Siegfried Line, Germany
By direction of the President of the United States of America, the Presidential Unit Citation is awarded to First Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division for extraordinary heroism
in action against an armed enemy. The First Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment is cited for outstanding accomplishment in combat during the period 0100 hours, 15 March 1945 to 2400 hours, 15 March
1945, near Ensheim, Germany in clearing the well-defended approach to the Siegfried Line in its assigned sector. In a twenty-three hour period the First Battalion cleared four enemy towns which stood
as outpost to the Siegfried Line and which were defended fanatically by tanks, ground troops and tremendous batteries of artillery. Simultaneously attacking Hartingshof and Eschingen, elements of the
battalion smashed their way into these towns and cleared them through sheer speed and relentless drive. One company of the Battalion held an estimated battalion of enemy on the outskirts of
Neumuhlerhof for over eight hours, while the rest of the unit attacked the last and most strongly fortified town out posting the Siegfried Line., Ensheim. Here the battalion met seven tanks and an enemy
who turned each house into a pillbox, each street into a miniature battlefield as they resisted with every ground weapon available. Counterattack followed counterattack, as the Germans poured
reinforcements from the nearby pillboxes in an attempt to stop the slow but ever advancing troops. Finally, however, at nightfall, after the Battalion had eliminated three of their tanks, the German troops
were force to retreat to their concrete fortifications in the Siegfried Line. Because the First Battalion had achieved its mission so swiftly, daringly and courageously, the 254th Infantry Regiment became the
first unit of the Seventh Army to breach the famed Siegfried Line defense. The heroic actions of the First Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division, reflect great credit upon its members
and the United States Army. (DA GO 14, 11 April 1997)
in action against an armed enemy. The First Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment is cited for outstanding accomplishment in combat during the period 0100 hours, 15 March 1945 to 2400 hours, 15 March
1945, near Ensheim, Germany in clearing the well-defended approach to the Siegfried Line in its assigned sector. In a twenty-three hour period the First Battalion cleared four enemy towns which stood
as outpost to the Siegfried Line and which were defended fanatically by tanks, ground troops and tremendous batteries of artillery. Simultaneously attacking Hartingshof and Eschingen, elements of the
battalion smashed their way into these towns and cleared them through sheer speed and relentless drive. One company of the Battalion held an estimated battalion of enemy on the outskirts of
Neumuhlerhof for over eight hours, while the rest of the unit attacked the last and most strongly fortified town out posting the Siegfried Line., Ensheim. Here the battalion met seven tanks and an enemy
who turned each house into a pillbox, each street into a miniature battlefield as they resisted with every ground weapon available. Counterattack followed counterattack, as the Germans poured
reinforcements from the nearby pillboxes in an attempt to stop the slow but ever advancing troops. Finally, however, at nightfall, after the Battalion had eliminated three of their tanks, the German troops
were force to retreat to their concrete fortifications in the Siegfried Line. Because the First Battalion had achieved its mission so swiftly, daringly and courageously, the 254th Infantry Regiment became the
first unit of the Seventh Army to breach the famed Siegfried Line defense. The heroic actions of the First Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division, reflect great credit upon its members
and the United States Army. (DA GO 14, 11 April 1997)
Siegfried Line, Germany
By direction of the President of the United States of America, the Presidential Unit Citation is awarded to Third Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division for
extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy. The Third Battalion 254th Infantry Regiment is cited for outstanding accomplishment in combat during the period 0400 hours, 16
March 1945 to 1400 hours 20 March 1945, near Ensheim, Germany, in making the initial breach of the Siegfried Line. In the first phase of its four day battle, the Third Battalion struck with
such speed and determination that the enemy was driven from their reinforced concrete pillboxes by assaulting elements who completely disregarded the torrent of fire poured at them by the
defenders. The difficult task of the unit had only begun, however, when they took this emplacement studded knoll, to hold it at all cost was the order. The enemy realized that the position the
Third Battalion held meant almost certain smashing of the Siegfried Line, and the Germans were determined to recapture their pillboxes. For three more days and nights the Battalion was
ceaselessly shelled by all enemy artillery available. Counterattacks were made, thrown back and made again. Tenaciously, grimly the unit held, at times it seemed as if there was no hope of
retaining the ground they had gained. Nevertheless as each day passed and the attacks became more bitter, more ferocious, the determination of the men of the Third Battalion increased.
They would not give ground. At last, on 20 March, largely due to the number of men the Third Battalion kept occupied, other elements of the regiment, inspired by the great display of courage
shown by the members of the Third Battalion, broke through the Siegfried Line, unleashing the armor into the Rhine Valley. The heroic actions of the Third Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment,
63rd Infantry Division reflect great credit upon its members and the United States Army (DA GO 14, 11 April 1997)
extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy. The Third Battalion 254th Infantry Regiment is cited for outstanding accomplishment in combat during the period 0400 hours, 16
March 1945 to 1400 hours 20 March 1945, near Ensheim, Germany, in making the initial breach of the Siegfried Line. In the first phase of its four day battle, the Third Battalion struck with
such speed and determination that the enemy was driven from their reinforced concrete pillboxes by assaulting elements who completely disregarded the torrent of fire poured at them by the
defenders. The difficult task of the unit had only begun, however, when they took this emplacement studded knoll, to hold it at all cost was the order. The enemy realized that the position the
Third Battalion held meant almost certain smashing of the Siegfried Line, and the Germans were determined to recapture their pillboxes. For three more days and nights the Battalion was
ceaselessly shelled by all enemy artillery available. Counterattacks were made, thrown back and made again. Tenaciously, grimly the unit held, at times it seemed as if there was no hope of
retaining the ground they had gained. Nevertheless as each day passed and the attacks became more bitter, more ferocious, the determination of the men of the Third Battalion increased.
They would not give ground. At last, on 20 March, largely due to the number of men the Third Battalion kept occupied, other elements of the regiment, inspired by the great display of courage
shown by the members of the Third Battalion, broke through the Siegfried Line, unleashing the armor into the Rhine Valley. The heroic actions of the Third Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment,
63rd Infantry Division reflect great credit upon its members and the United States Army (DA GO 14, 11 April 1997)