Presidential Unit
Citation
An Army General Order Confirming the
Award of a Presidential Unit Citation to the 96th Infantry
Division was issued in December 2001." We have received the
Presidential Unit Citation Certificate and Citation documents.
The 96th Infantry Division is now one of only 4 entire Army
Division awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for heroic
action during World War II. Pertinent documents are posted
below.
The U.S. Army formally
presented The Presidential Unit Citation during an awards
ceremony on July 27, 2001 at our Omaha, Nebraska
Reunion.
Information on copies of the Presidential Unit
Citation Certificate and Citation document is available here.
Don Dencker, Historian, 96th
Infantry Division Association
Text of Presidential
Unit Citation
The 96th Infantry Division
and attached units distinguished themselves during the period
1 April 1945 to 30 June 1945, by extraordinary heroism and
gallantry in action against the enemy in the conquest of
Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, Japan. On 1 April 1945 the 96th
Infantry Division made an assault landing on the Hagushi
beaches of Okinawa and within three days overcame all
resistance in the large Sunabe Hill mass which dominated the
XXIV Corps' landing beaches. The division then immediately
attacked rapidly and skillfully south down the western half of
the island, overrunning and destroying or driving in enemy
outpost lines and strong points guarding the approaches to the
main defense hub at Shuri. By 7 April, the division had
penetrated the main outer ring. On 9 April, the division
initiated a series of attacks against the powerful Japanese
defense position at Kakazu Ridge. It was necessary to dig,
blast and burn or bury forever the fanatical enemy defenders.
By 15 April, the division had gained control of dominant
portions of the ridge. On 16 April, the division became an
interior division when a third division entered the line on
its right flank. It continued its day after day assaults.
Tombstone Hill was seized. Tanabaru and Maeda escarpments were
captured. Needle Rock Hill 153 and the Gate were all taken. On
1 May, the division was withdrawn for nine days of rest and
for reception and assimilation of replacements totaling over
4,000. On 9 May, the division reentered the lines on the left
(east) bank, and began a series of bitter, bloody,
hand-to-hand assaults designed to wrest from the Japanese
Conical Hill, the vital key to the eastern section of the
Shuri battle position. The desperate defenders struck back
with all the fire and manpower at their command.
Concentrations of artillery and medium and heavy mortar fire
were placed upon our lines in durations previously unknown in
the Pacific War. By 21 May, the crest and eastern slopes of
Conical Hill had been captured, opening an envelopment route
to turn Shuri. To the west of Conical Hill, the division
captured Sugar Hill and broke through the Shuri Line to within
200 yards of the Nahi-Shuri-Yonabaru Road, the enemy's
innermost and essential communication line. Loss of Conical
Hill doomed the Shuri position, and the enemy withdrew,
shortly after its fall, to final positions along the south tip
of the island. The division continued its pursuit of the
retreating enemy. On the final enemy positions on the
Yuza-Yaeju-Dake escarpments, the two highest hills were in the
zone of the 96th Division. The division assaulted heroically
and with a fury that could not be stopped, using the same
hand-to-hand, digging, blasting burning assaults required in
earlier engagements. The 96th Division ended its portion of
the organized fighting as it began it, closing to bayonet
range with a gallantry, heroism and determination to win which
carried its attacks forward despite terrible and crippling
casualties and physical discomforts almost beyond human
endurance. The division killed a total of 37,763 of the enemy
in 73 days of fighting. Its own battle losses totaled 7,294,
including 1,504 killed. The brilliant victories achieved by
the 96th Division on Okinawa contributed greatly to the defeat
of the large enemy garrison. The esprit, heroism, and
continued demonstrations of raw courage throughout the battle
exemplified the highest traditions of the military
service.