HEADQUARTERS

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

Washington, D.C., 27 September 1968

General Orders No. 51

PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION (ARMY)

Award of the Presidential Unit Citation (Army) by the President of the United States of America to the following unit of the Armed Forces of the United States is confirmed in accordance with paragraph 194, AR 672-5-1. The text of the citation, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on 22 August 1968, reads as follows:

By virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United states and as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United states I have today awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for extraordinary heroism to COMPANY B, 2D BATTALION, 35TH INFANTRY, UNITED STATES ARMY for distinguishing itself by outstanding performance of duty and exceptional valor in action against a numerically superior and heavily armed North Vietnamese force in Pleiku Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 28-29 May, 1966. During the afternoon of 28 May 1966. Company B commenced helicopter landings at 1055 hours the first day and immediately received fire from the determined and well equipped foe. For the next 26 hours, the enemy made a determined effort to destroy the American force. Subsequently reinforced by Company A, 1st Battalion 35th Infantry, the defenders dug in to meet the repeated enemy assaults of multi-battalion strength. With great professional skill, the officers and men of Company B courageously defeated each enemy onslaught. Gallant acts and outstanding leadership inspired a common purpose and fighting capability that ultimately defeated the enemy. When the roar of battle subsided, the enemy had withdrawn to reorganize his battered units, leaving 241 of his troops dead and numerous weapons as mute evidence of the intensity of the engagement and the valiant efforts of the defenders. Through their heroic stand, another illustrious page was written in United States military history; honoring forever the men of Company B, 2d Battalion, 35th Infantry, and providing a strong source of inspiration for all personnel within the United States Army.

By Order of the Secretary of the army:

W. C. WESTMORELAND,

Official:

KENNETH G. WICKHAM,