On 27 April Tec 5 Horrell H. Grote, 'B' Battery was the lucky man to draw the first 45 day furlough to the United States allotted to the Battalion.

The month of April closed with a total of two slightly wounded in action casualties and one accidental death (Tec 5 Savoie, Hq Btry), two enlisted men were assigned as reinforcements, and one, Frederick H. Teece, 'C' Battery returned from the hospital. Fourteen enlisted men were lost for various reasons, and 49 PWs were evacuated.

During the first week of May the Battalion continued its temporary occupational role in the present location with little to report aside from routine activities. Colonel Dawson returned from leave at the Riviera, displaying a moderate tan, and resumed command on 6 May. On the same date Lt Rankin rejoined the unit, fully recuperated from his leg injury incurred during January.

An administrative weakness under the existing geographical set-up resulted from the fact that the several batteries were spread out among three separate 'kreis' (counties) thereby complicating the functioning of the unit as a whole. Political administrative procedures varied among counties. To ameliorate this problem, all batteries moved into Kreis Gottingen on 8 May.

Marching approximately 14 miles, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery occupied the office building of and cottages and chateau adjacent to the Gottingen Ziegelwerk, situated about half-way between Gottingen and Rosdorf to the south. 'A' Battery displaced to Bovenden, and 'B' to Weenie, north of Gottingen 'C' Battery moved to Obernjesa south of Rosdorf, and Service Battery remained at Lenglern. So displaced the Battalion was much more compact and accessible both to itself and to Division Forward and Rear Echelons. As well as to Division Artillery, all of which were located in Gottingen. All batteries, moreover, were comfortably billeted in comparatively modern structures.

Coming some three weeks after the unit had been withdrawn from combat, V-E Day, 9 May, was somewhat of an anti-climax. An Adequate supply of liquor and wines were on hand for the occasion, however, and everyone was glad to make the end of the war in Europe official with an appropriate celebration.

At a short but impressive ceremony at Battalion Headquarters on 10 May, General Devine presented a silver star to 1st Lt Robert A. Kuntz, 'A' Battery Commander, and Bronze Stars to Sergeant Carl V. Lawrence, Technicians Fifth Grade Duard Lawrence, Salvatore P. Peone, and Nathaniel C. Wood of Headquarters Battery, 1st Lt William Hanmer of Headquarters Battery was awarded a Silver Star, but he was recuperating from wounds at the time at an evacuation hospital in England, and therefore, was not available at the presentation.

Citations, as set forth in General Orders Number 30 and 31, Headquarters Eighth Armored Division, dated 9 and 10 May, are reproduced below:

First Lieutenant ROBERT A. KUNTZ, 0448365, Field Artillery, United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy in Germany on 28 March 1945. Lieutenant Kuntz went to the aid of a forward observer and his tank crew, seriously injured by enemy fire. To reach the position he traversed a section of road swept by constant fire. After evacuating the wounded officer, he returned through the same dangerous area to aid members of the crew. He then remained to serve as forward observer, adjusting fire on the enemy gun that was holding up the advance of a tank company. His actions, beyond the call of duty, reflect great credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Entered Military Service from Indiana.

First Lieutenant WILLIAM HANMER, 01176360, field artillery, United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy in Germany on 28 March 1945. Lieutenant Hanmer was service as a forward observer attached to a tank company. The company was under heavy observed anti-tank fires. In an effort to alleviate the situation and without thought of h is own safety, Lieutenant Hanmer moved his tank out in the open to engage the enemy guns and to adjust artillery on them. While doing this his tank was knocked out and he was seriously wounded. His actions were an inspiration and reflect great credit on himself and the Military Forces of the United States. Entered Military Service from Michigan.

Sergeant CARL V. LAWRENCE, 35501784, Field Artillery, United States Army, for heroic service in connection with military operations against the enemy in Germany on 28 and 29 March 1945. Sergeant Lawrence voluntarily extinguished fire from a burning tank to prevent its attracting enemy fire and making it possible to salvage the vehicle. On the next day he joined a patrol in the reduction of a pocket of enemy resistance. During the engagement nine of the enemy were killed and ten prisoners taken. His actions were carried out under intense artillery, mortar and small arms fire and reflect great credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Entered Military Service from Kentucky.

Technician Fifth Grade DUARD LAWRENCE, 35802929, Field Artillery, United States Army, for meritorious service in connection with military operations against the enemy in Germany on 28 March 1945. Corporal Lawrence was a member of a forward observer section which was going forward to replace another section whose tank had been knocked out. As a result of continued shelling during the night, the immobilized tank was set ablaze. Voluntarily and without regard for personal safety, Corporal Lawrence assisted in extinguishing the blaze under intense artillery and small arms fire. This was imperative in order to keep the location of the other vehicles from the enemy. His actions, above the call of duty, reflect great credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Entered Military Service from Kentucky.

Technician Fifth Grade SALVATORE P. PEONE, 32870746, Field Artillery, United States Army, for meritorious service in connection with military operations against the enemy in Germany on 5 April 1945. Corporal Peone was radio operator with the Battalion survey section which was accompanying the advance guard battery of the task force. When the column was subjected to direct fire, the survey section was ordered to dismount and seek cover. Corporal Peone, voluntarily remained in the vehicle to operate the radio and serve as machine gunner. Sensings were transmitted over his radio aiding or confirming those of a forward observer and aided materially to the elimination of one enemy tank and complete dispersal of others. His actions, under fire, reflect credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Entered Military service from New York.

Technician Fifth Grade NATHANIEL C. WOOD, 31317934, Field Artillery, United States Army, for meritorious service in connection with military operations against the enemy in Germany on 28 March 1945. Corporal Wood moved forward with a forward observer section to replace another section whose tank had been knocked out. As a result of continued shelling during the night, the immobilized tank started to burn. Had this been permitted to continue the remaining vehicles would have been silhouetted against the sky as targets for the enemy. Corporal Wood volunteered to go forward, without regard for the intense shelling to assist in extinguishing the blazing tank. His actions above the call of duty reflect credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Entered Military Service from Maine.