1. The Commanding General takes pleasure in transmitting to all units of
the Sixth Marine Division the following dispatch from the Commanding
General, III Amphibious Corps:
“THE CORPS COMMANDER COMMENDS THE 6TH MARDIV ON THE CAPTURE OF OROKU
PENINSULA X CONTINUING OPERATIONS AFTER THE HARD FOUGHT BATTLES IN
WHICH THE DIVISION PENETRATED THE WESTERN DEFENSES OF SHURI AND
CAPTURED THE CITY OF NAHA IT QUICKLY EXECUTED AN AMPHIBIOUS
OPERATION ORGANIZED AND MOUNTED UNDER THE HANDICAP OF ADVERSE
WEATHER AND DIFFICULT LOGISTIC CONDITIONS X FIGHTING ITS WAY INLAND
OVER VERY UNFAVORABLE AND RUGGED TERRAIN IT WRESTED STRONGLY
FORTIFIED HILL AND CAVE POSITIONS FROM AN ENEMY DETERMINED TO FIGHT
TO THE BITTER END AND WELL EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC AND SUPPORTING
WEAPONS X THE INDOMITABLE SPIRIT AND PROFESSIONAL SKILL DISPLAYED BY
THE 6TH MARDIV WILL BE A SOURCE OF PRIDE AND GRATIFICATION TO ALL
MARINES”
2. Every officer and man in the Sixth Marine Division may be justly
proud of the accomplishments attained during the past ten days fighting
on the OROKU PENINSULA. Through your indomitable courage and
determination to overcome all obstacles, you have again demonstrated the
superior fighting qualities for which this division has become famous.
/S/ LEMUEL C. SHEPHERD, JR.
Major General, U. S. Marine Corps,
Commanding, Sixth Marine Division.
_COPY_
1990-10-15
015/210
HEADQUARTERS
SIXTH MARINE DIVISION
IN THE FIELD