1.   During the past ten days you have valiantly, determinedly, aggressively, and skillfully engaged and defeated the enemy. You have driven him from a sector of his vaunted Siegfried defenses, ousting him from over one hundred (100) pillboxes, forts, and field fortifications which had taken him years to prepare -- works in which he had the utmost confidence and which he believed would take many divisions and months instead of days to reduce. You have crossed swollen streams and have mastered rugged terrain obstacles, that the enemy in his years of planning for defense had carefully mined and accurately registered for defensive fires, to take one hundred and twenty-six (126) square miles of his "Fatherland" containing thirty-three (33) of his villages and over eighty-two hundred (8,200) of his people. By your aggressiveness and tireless advances, you have captured twenty-four hundred (2,400) of his soldiers and much of his irreplaceable material -- a blow to him much more severe than numbers indicate, losses which he will find impossible to replace. You have, to all intents and purposes, destroyed as a combat unit his veteran 212th Infantry Division.

2.   It has been difficult, tiring, and endless work -- seeming often beyond human endurance. You have carried through with the enthusiasm and esprit that you have ever exhibited. You have fulfilled my expectations, brought credit to your leaders, and have attained praise from the Commanding General, Third Army, himself, for your accomplishments. These deeds have not been without cost. You and I have lost friends and comrades, but you, by added effort, have taken over additional duties without hesitation or complaint.

3.   I commend each and everyone of you for your arduous accomplishments, and outstanding successes. In your first engagement, you have delivered a smashing blow to the enemy. It is one that we will not let him forget.