The Durant news., 1945-01-04

ed by Combat Command
Quickly securing the city, &C "A
moved across the Yonne River, destroy
ing an SIS brigade on the outskirts OF
vil,eneuye. Meanwhile &C "B", moving
q, the south, captured Courtenay ana
moved on Montargis from the east.
Tho division tnen fought its way
across the Seine at Troyes on 26 August
in fierce fighting, never giving the
enemy rest, Attacking Troyes, the unit
ought under heavy enemy fire but de-
stroyed 60 per cent of the 51st SIS Bri-
gade in the battle.
Three days later, the division had
made three crossings of the Marne and
captured vitry-le Francois, Chalen-sur-
Iarne, ST. Dizier and Ligney fell rapid
.y. A light tank campany driving
through tarrential rains at 40 miles an
hour took Commercy, captured the
bridge across tie Meuse and seized the
Ugh ground to the east.
Meanwhile Combat Command "B", on
II Sept, supported by doughboys of the
35th Infantry Division, burst across the
Moselle routing Nazis ordered to hold
he line all winter. While the massive
Moselle brigehead was being consolidat-
ed, the unit fought off some of the
heaviest German attacks of the war
FOR two weeks up to 2S September, the
unit threw back Mark Nv, Mark V, and
Mark vi with heavy losses to the
enemy.
The commander of the Fourth Armor-
ed Division whom the German colonel
wanted to meet, but did not, is Major
General John S. Wood. The broad
shouldered general, who is Sc (born ii
January 1889, has been soldering since
he was graduated from the United
States Military Academy at West Point
in 1912. General Wood, who was born
in Arkansas and whose home is now
Narberth, Pa, has commanded the
Fourth Armored Division since lS June
1912. He won the Distinguished Service
Cross at Coutances, where he PERSONAL
ly led his troops into the city. He also
holds the Silver Star and the Bronze
Star Medals.
General Wood who was graduated
from the University of Arkansas in 1907
played football during his college days
He also plays fast game of tennis
The general, who wears his wide-lensed
sunglasses, rain or shine, does not hesi-
tate to salute any of his men first, re-
,gardless of rank, and many Fourth
Armored tanker has found it hard to
beat "the Old Man" to the draw.
In his outstanding employment OF
armor, General Wood has been assist
ed by his Combat Commanders, Briga-
der General Holmes E. Dagger, 81 (born
"a June 1S9), of Union, New Jersey
and Colonel Bruce C. Clarke (born In
Adams N. Y, 20 April 190D, of Syra-
cuse, New York. General Dagger has been
awarded the Distinguished Service Cros
for action at Avranches while Colonel
Clarke has been awarded the Silver Star
with two oak leaf clusters during the
campaign of Western Europe.
In addition to the two Distinguished
Service Crosses, Silver Stars have been
awarded to 1876 members of the division
for gallantry in action and 406 men
have been presented with the Bronze
Star for heroic action and meritorious
service. Artillery observer liaison pilots
Of the division have been awarded IL
Air Medals and Is Oak Leaf Clusters to
the Air Medal.
Last April Is, on the third anniver-
sary of the divisions activation, Gen
Wood told his men they were veterans
ready to close with the enemy. Although
the division was then in England and
had not yet been in combat, the men
were vet rams in bearing and discipline
as the result of their long intensive
training From tire deep SHOWS OF the
Canadian boroer, the Fourth Armored
Division has maneuverod in the Cumber-
land Mountains Of Tennessee, the CAN
tornia. Irsert, the plains of Texas ana
tie downs of England.
Af'c9 sixtcon months at Pine Camp
ire division left New York on 80 Sept"
i 1912. TO vancouver in Tennessee until
the md lie OF November 1912. The d.
! Visions next move took it to California