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

Battle Honors

Company F - 137th Infantry Regiment

Saarguemines, France, December 10, 1944

HEADQUARTERS 35TH INFANTRY DIVISION
Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky

GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 60, 19 November 1945

BATTLE HONORS. Under the provisions of Section IV, Circular 333, War Department, 22 December 1943, as amended, Company "F", 137th Infantry is cited for outstanding performance of duty in action against the enemy at Saarguemines, France, on 10 December 1944. During the operation against Saarguemines, a key defense position guarding the approaches to the Siegfried Line and Germany proper, Company "F" effected a crossing of the Saar River against heavy enemy opposition, and in a brilliant flanking movement, executed under heavy enemy fire of all types, its left assault platoon fell upon a pottery plant while the right assault platoon deployed for an attack from the rear. Saarguemines was defended by a network of pill boxes, trenches and anti-tank obstacles, and the pottery plant itself constituted the key to the southern and eastern defenses of the city. One squad of the left assault platoon advanced into a factory building while the remainder of the platoon was pinned down by withering fire from inside the plant. The squad entering the building employed small arms and hand grenades to engage the enemy in a bitter fight, which relieved the pressure on the troops pinned down outside the building. During an intense four-hour fire fight, Company "F" engaged the two determined companies of SS Troops which occupied the pottery plant and environs in close-in and hand-to-hand fighting among the maze of machinery, pottery baking ovens and display shelves, during the fury of which action the troops of Company "F" employed in addition to fire arms, hand grenade, trench knives, bayonets, and even pottery pieces. Enemy troops fleeing from the pressure of the left assault platoon into another building were surprised by the right platoon, which had entered the factory from the rear. After recovering from the initial shock, the enemy, with superior numbers, counterattacked the right assault platoon, but the support platoon, with superb timing, crushed the counterattack. The enemy then increased the intensity of his artillery, tank, self-propelled and 20mm fire on the attacking forces, preparatory to launching a full scale counterattack. However, the company skillfully countered the thrust and pursued the enemy through the city from house to house, liberating 995 allied prisoners of war along the way. Company "F" lost thirteen enlisted men wounded. The enemy lost forty-three killed, seventy-five captured, and twenty-six wounded. This company accomplished its assigned task under intense enemy artillery and small arms fire, in disregard of personal safety, and against a determined enemy, superior in numbers and occupying strong defensive positions. The action is an outstanding example of group daring and courage. The extraordinary heroism, exemplary skill, inspiring resourcefulness and superior initiative displayed in the crucial operation reflect the highest credit upon the officers and men of Company "F", 137th Infantry, and upon the military service of the United States.

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