Description:

GEORGE C. MARSHALL
(1880 - 1959) American general and statesman, Roosevelt's Army Chief of Staff during World War II and author of the Marshall Plan which sustained eastern Europe after the war. MARSHALL SIGNED BATTLE CITATION FOR THE 116TH INFANTRY - FIRST TO LAND ON OMAHA BEACH Outstanding typed D.S. 'George Marshall', 1p. sm. 4to., 'WAR DEPARTMENT Washington 25, D.C. 6 September 1944', headed: 'GENERAL ORDERS NO.73 BATTLE HONORS - Citation of Units' Marshall issues a commendation to the famous 116th Infantry Regiment, the first to land on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. It reads, in full: 'The 116TH INFANTRY REGIMENT is cited for extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty in action in the initial assault on the northern coast of NORMANDY, FRANCE, JUNE 6, 1944. The 116TH INFANTRY REGIMENT successfully attacked a heavily fortified and strongly beach in the vicinity of VIERVILLE-SUR-MER, FRANCE. The beach was fortified by mined underwater obstacles, bands of barbed wire, concrete walls and land mines. It was strongly defended by enemy troops occupying pill-boxes. trenches and underground shelters. Defending troops were protected against the aerial and naval bombardment which preceded the assault by deep and elaborate underground shelters which had been constructed in the hills and cliffs overlooking the beach. As elements of the 116TH INFANTRY REGIMENT approached the beach in assault craft, they were met by withering fire from rifles, machine-guns, mortars, and 88mm guns, all of which were effectively employed at close range from enfilading positions in the cliffs overlooking the beach. In addition, the beach was subjected to fire from enemy artillery and mortars which were inshore. In face of this heavy fire, and [d]espite suffering high losses, the 116TH INFANTRY REGIMENT overcame the beach obstacles, took enemy-defended positions along the beach and cliffs, pushed through the mined area immediately in the rear of the beach while still under heavy fire and continued inshore to take its objective. The successful attack and landing of the 116TH INFANTRY REGIMENT made possible the subsequent landings of the other elements of the 29TH INFANTRY DIVISION which landed behind it with only light losses. During its landing and assault of the beach positions, the 116TH INFANTRY REGIMENT sustained more than 800 losses in officers and men. BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR: [Signed] G.C . MARSHALL Chief of Staff' Possibly trimmed slightly at bottom with no loss of text, light folds and toning, else near fine.

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December 7, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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