30 April 1945

AG 201 : ANDERSON. FRANK W.

SUBJECT: Recommendation for Award of Bronze Star.

TO:Commanding General, 8th Armored Division, A. P. O. 258,
U. S. Army.

  1.   a. CAPT. FRANK W. ANDERSON. 01306527

        b. Bronze Star.

        c. 5 March 1945 to 20 April. 1945.

        d. Germany.

        e. Battalion Maintenance Officer.

        f. CAPT. FRANK W. ANDERSON for meritorious service in connection with military operations against the enemy in Germany during the period 5 March 1945 to 20 April 1945. Capt. ANDERSON as Battalion Maintenance Officer habitually led his maintenance crew, personally. under enemy light and heavy artillery fire and upon numerous occasions went into the front lines exposing himself to small arms fire in order to affect battle recovery of vehicles to keep them from falling into the hands of the enemy. He habitually maintained personal contact with all units of the battalion and regardless of enemy fire repaired or recovered damaged vehicles on his own initiative. His actions reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

s/M. G. ROSEBOROUGH

M. G. ROSEBOROUGH
Lt. Col. 49th Armd. Inf. Bn.
Commanding

A TRUE COPY:
s/HERMAN Wm HULS

HERMAN Wm HULS
1st Lt.. 49th Armd. Inf. Bn.
Adjutant

30 May 1945

SUBJECT: Recommendation for Award of Meritorious Service Unit Plaque.

TO:COMMANDING GENERAL, 8th Armored Division, A. P. O. 258,
U. S. Army.

1. It is recommended that the Meritorious Service Unit Plaque be awarded Service Company, 49th Armored Infantry Battalion, for superior performance of exceptionally difficult tasks while the battalion was engaged with the enemy during the period Of 21 February 1945 and 22 April 1945.

2. During this period, in spite of lengthy, dangerous supply lines, this company rendered invaluable aid in the accomplishment of the battalion mission by maintaining a smooth flow of ammunition. fuel, rations and evacuation, at all times. The mobility of an armored unit is very dependent on an extremely efficient Service Company which is able to maintain supply lines in spite of fast moving situations. At no time were the combat elements of this battalion forced to weaken their offence due to lack of fuel, ammunition. or rations, as they were always on hand when needed. This required around the clock labor on the part of many members of this service company which is composed of only 75 enlisted men and 6 officers. At no time did they complain or let down on their very high standard of discipline.

3. On several occasions, the maintenance section of this company suffered casualties, due to the fact that they were invariably evacuating crippled vehicles under heavy enemy fire, repairing them under difficult conditions, or obtaining replacements with such speed, that the combat elements hardly noticed the losses.

4. The fuel and lube section continually maintained a sufficient quantity of fuel to insure that no vehicles were forced to fallout of the frequent long, fast moves, due to lack of fuel. On numerous occasions, it was found necessary to bring fuel right up to front line companies, requiring the minimum amount of noise and confusion.

5. The Personnel Section, in spite of the frequent moves of Rear Echelon, and no supervision, managed to maintain

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a superior set of records as is attested by the division Inspector General and Adjutant General.

6. The company headquarters of this unit also maintained a mod1fied rest center when combat conditions became long and arduous and many men. Instead of being evacuated with combat fatigue were caught in time and sent back to Service Company, where hot meals, hot baths and a good sleep in a bed were highly instrumental in cutting down the number of combat fatigue cases to an absolute minimum.

7. The untiring efforts, professional skill, gallantry and determination displayed in overcoming unusually diffiou1t conditions encountered by service units of this type were characteristic of the manner with which this unit has repeatedly and sucoessfu11y oomp1eted them.

8. Service Company, 49th Armored Infantry Battalion, performed its duty in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service.

s/M. G. ROSEBOROUGH

M. G. ROSEBOROUGH
Lt. Col. 49th Armd. Inf. Bn.
Commanding

Incl: - 4:
1. Statements of company commanders.
2. Statistical information.
3. Letters of commendation.
4. Affidavits which supported recommendations for awards for section commanders.

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28 June 45

SUBJECT: Recommendation for Meritorious
Service Plaque

TO: Commanding Officer. 49th Armd. Inf. Bn.,
A. P. O. 258,   U. S. Army.

1. On behalf of the Officers and men in this Company, I wish to commend Service Company for the high standard of performance in combat which they set and maintained.

2. Through the efforts of the personnel in the different sections we were able to perform efficiently in combat. Never once did our men go hungry because the ration truck failed to get through; nor did we ever want for clothes or other equipment - - - supply was always on the job. Fuel and Lube and Ammunition sections were on the ball, too, because we were never hampered in carrying out our missions because they failed to keep us supplied with those essentials - - - gas and ammunition. And much must be said for Battalion Maintenance, for through their efforts we always had our vehicles with us when the going got tough.

3. All things considered, we can't give Service Company too much credit. If they had failed us. we would have failed in our missions.

William M. Shuford,
Captain, Infantry.
Commanding

27 May 45

S T A T E M E N T

During the period of operations from February, 1945 to April 1945, Service Company, 49th Armored Infantry Battalion performed exceptionally difficult tasks in a superior manner in connection with supply and maintenance of this unit. At no time has the operation of this unit been curtailed by the lack of supplies or maintenance. Rations, fuel, lubrication, and ammunition have been delivered and the evacuation of vehicles has been accomplished under the most trying conditions. Service Company has at all times anticipated the needs of this company and has relieved it of the burden of securing supplies.

WADE H. CARDER,
Captain, Infantry.
Commanding

26 June 1945

SUBJECT: Commendation

TO: Commanding Officer, 49th A. I. B.

During the operations of this Company against the enemy in Holland and Germany, the problem of keeping supplies up with the attacking echelon was a continuous problem. The nature of the tactical situation caused Rifle Companies to push their attacks as rapidly as possible and as a result, supply lines were extended and often ran along routes dominated by by-passed enemy pockets or combat elements. Despite this fact, the men of Service Company performed their duties with determination and courage to such an extent that the attack was never slowed for lack of supplies. On many occasions, maintenance and vehicles were kept in running order throughout the entire campaign. At Westerhausen, Germany, when this Company occupied a widely extended outpost position, enemy forces were almost entirely surrounding the position and their observation and fire dominated all road nets. In spite of this fact, gasoline, mail and food were brought up continuously by Service Company Drivers. Because this devotion to duty contributed materially to the comfort, health and safety of members of this unit, it is the desire to the Officers and Men of Company "B" to express their sincere appreciation and respect for the work of Service Company.

CHARLES R. GRIGGS,
Captain, Infantry
Commanding

29 May 1945

SUBJECT: Recommendation for Service Plaque.

TO: Commanding Officer 49th Armd. Inf. Bn.

1. In the periods of the operations from Posterholt to Blankenburg this Company was attached to the 36 Tank Battalion.

2. During this period the 2nd Echelon of the Company's vehicles was dealt with in a superior manner by Service Company 49th A. I. B. under the most difficult combat conditions and at some distant from their Headquarters.

3. The personnel section did an outstanding job on this organization's records and all administrative matters under their supervision.

ELMER W. OLARK,
Captain, Armd. Inf.
Commanding