134th Infantry Regiment "All Hell Can't Stop Us"

Battle Honors

1st Battalion - 134th Infantry Regiment

St. Lo, Normandy, France, July 15 - 19, 1944

HEADQUARTERS 35TH INFANTRY DIVISION
APO 35, US ARMY

GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 45, 18 June 1945

BATTLE HONORS. Under the provisions of Section IV, Circular 333, War Department, 22 December 1943, as amended, the First Battalion, 134th Infantry, is cited for extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty in action against the enemy in the vicinity of St. Lo, Normandy, France, from 15 to 19 July 1944.

On the morning of 15 July 1944, the First Battalion, 134th Infantry, instituted its initial attack against the enemy in the Villiers-Fossard sector, 2 ½ miles northeast of St. Lo, in a frontal assault on Hill 122, the dominating terrain feature of the German defensive positions before St. Lo. The battalion zone was interspersed with sunken roads and checkered with hedgerows composed of large bases of earth surmounted by shrubbery and trees. So strongly emplaced and stubbornly defended were the enemy hedgerow defenses, generally impregnable to all types of fire except direct hits from artillery, that it was necessary for individual soldiers to crawl forward to throw hand grenades in order to silence enemy guns. Under heavy enemy fire of all kinds, across mine fields, the battalion moved forward against seasoned German troops, advancing some 2100 meters by noon. Continuing its determined advance despite increasingly strong resistance and although suffering mounting casualties, the battalion pierced the enemy regimental reserve line, consolidated its position for the night, and repulsed repeated enemy counterattacks while units of its right and left endeavored to advance to positions abreast the battalion. On 17 July the battalion resumed its drive, by dogged determination broke through the enemy's almost impregnable main line of resistance at a great cost to the enemy of men and material, and that night reached the military crest of Hill 122, thereby crushing the main enemy defense in this area. After over-running the remaining enemy positions on Hill 122 on 18 July, the battalion consolidated its position less than 2000 yards north of St. Lo, from which point patrols were sent into the town. On 19 July the battalion entered St. Lo to relieve units in defensive positions around its forward perimeter. This operation was conducted smoothly and successfully despite intense fire from enemy guns located in hills south of St. Lo. The magnificent gallantry, heroism, teamwork and will to win displayed by the First Battalion, 134th Infantry, in this crucial operation, characterized by countless deeds of individual and group heroism, and its tremendously significant part in the action on Hill 122 at the approaches to St. Lo, contributed immeasurably to a major victory for the United States, and reflected the highest credit upon the character and training of the officers and men of this unit.

BY COMMAND OF BRIGADIER GENERAL FUTCH:

OFFICIAL: MADDREY A. SOLOMON
Colonel, GSC
Chief of Staff

<Signed>
RICHARD G. CHADWICK
Lieutenant Colonel, AGD

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