Vet News: 59 Years in the Making, Presidential Honor Finally Bestowed

April 12, 2004 -- Because of the steadfastness and diligence of a World War II veteran, the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division received a long overdue Presidential Unit Citation, April 5.

During ceremonies honoring the "Gunner" battalion’s Purple Heart and Combat Medic Badge recipients, the battalion added the Luxembourg streamer to its colors.

At 5:30 a.m., on the bitterly cold morning of Dec. 16, 1944, the 352nd Volksgrenadier Division of Combat Command Alpha, 9th Armored Division, launched the Ardennes Offensive. This offensive was later dubbed the "Battle of the Bulge" by American Historians due to the pronounced bulging shape of the battleground area as seen on a military map.

During the ensuing 41-day battle, Maj. Gen. John Leonard, 9th AD commanding general, said the actions of the 3rd Armored Field Artillery Regiment deserved special note. Firing an average of 3,000 rounds per day, the battalion aided in the breakup of every enemy attack. The artillerymen’s fires help hold the center of a 10,000-yard firing line, allowing troops to take up their positions and begin a counter offensive.

With U.S. Army III and XII Corps able to assemble unhindered, the counter offensive would ultimately end the siege of Bastogne and contribute to saving much of Luxembourg.

Due to the deactivation of the 9th AD shortly after World War II, paperwork and recommendations for the unit’s recognition award were never carried forward. It was only due to the diligent efforts of 9th AD Veterans that the award was finally presented.

CITATION

On June 12, 1991, former President George H.W. Bush awarded the Presidential Unit Citation to Combat Command A, 9th AD for "extraordinary heroism and gallantry in combat" during the Battle of the Bulge.

The former 3rd AFA battalion World War II commander, Maj. Gen. George Ruhlen, contacted the battalion’s current commander, Lt. Col. William Rabena.

"He’s been in contact with me via letters since I took over this battalion," Rabena said. "He’s an amazing historian."

The efforts of Ruhlen, a former commanding general of the 1st AD, were pivotal in ensuring 2/3 FA received the battle streamer, Rabena said.

"After the general found out about the 9th AD receiving the award, he went to work," Rabena said. He updated and submitted paperwork, making sure that the lineage of 2/3 FA was properly documented and that all of the other actions needed to get the Presidential Unit Citation presented were completed.

"This has been a labor of his [Ruhlen] for a very long time and it is finally paying off," Rabena said.

With the battalion assembled, the command of "present arms" was given and the battalion colors were lowered. Col. Pete R. Mansoor, commander 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st AD and Rabena attached the Luxembourg streamer to the battalion’s colors, adding another chapter to the long and storied lineage of 2/3 FA.

"He’s, [Ruhlen] been wanting so bad to make this happen for the few living Veterans of the time period," said Rabena. "He just wanted to know this had been taken care of; to close the loop on it."

About 15 members of the 3rd AFA who fought in the battle for Bastogne are still alive today. Ruhlen himself is currently in poor health, stricken with emphysema.

"If you have a ceremony, I would certainly like to see photos of it," Ruhlen wrote in a letter to Rabena. "Fort Sill (the U.S. Army’s Artillery Center and School) may have a ceremony, but it is very doubtful I could make it for health reasons. It would be a formation that I have anticipated for 56 years."

SOURCE: VNIS