The Decoy Doughboy

Souvenir Edition -- Printed in Czechoslovakia

May 23, 1945. -- Publishes by and for the men of the 18th Combat Team. -- First Infantry Division, U. S. Army.

Five Unit Citations in Regiment

When the War Department officially announced a Presidential Citation had been awarded to the 18th Infantry Regiment for outstanding performance of duty during the ten days of action following the D-Day landing on the coast of Normandy, it brought the total citations awarded the regiment, to five.

'K' Company was cited for its heroic stand at El Guettar againt tank and infantry counterattacks. Despite heavy losses the 3rd Battalion company repulsed savage thrusts and held a strategic position the loss of which would have impaired future operations.

On the 23rd of April, 1943, the 2nd Battalion fought the now famous Battle of Hill 350 which opened the way for the armored to roll across the plains of Mateur. It was desperate battle featured by the use bayonetts and close-in fighting until the determined enemy defenders were driven from the hill. A powerful enemy counterattack pushed the "White" Battalion from their newly won position, but the rifle companies came right back to again defeat the Nazi forces. This time, despite their weakened condition, "Docoy White" firmly held their hard won victory. For this heroic action, the battalion was cited.

Both the 1st and 3rd Battalions were awarded the unit citation for outstanding performance of duty in and around the city of Aachen, the former at Crucifix Hill, and the latter at Ravelburd. In each of these engagements the two battalions of the 18th Infantry displayed the courage and stamina necessary to effect a victory against overwhelming odds.