Minx was a high school graduate living in West Palm Beach working as a grocery clerk earning $20 per week when he enlisted in Company C, 124th Infantry Regiment. He was inducted into federal service as a Private 25 November 1940. He served with the re-established 124TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 31ST INFANTRY DIVISION In the Southwest Pacific. His next of kin included Mrs. S.E. Moore, mother, West Palm Beach, Florida. KILLED IN ACTION; 22 July 1944, Aitape, New Guinea. 124th Infantry Regiment 31st Infantry Division (The 124th was engaged in the Drinimour River Campaign at Aitape for which it earned its first Distinguished Units Citation. The fighting on the 13th involved stopping a local Japanese attack attempting to regain the crossings over the Drinimour River). 3RD BATTALION, 124TH INFANTRY REGIMENT mneti, reinforced by an infantry battalion. launched a couiter-attack, to the east toward Niumen Creek, to re- 31st Inlantry Division, General Order Number 156 live the pressure on the extreme southern llnk and to 2U Sepltemlbr 1945 secure a position from which the enemy could be en- The 3rd Battalion, 124th Infantry, is cited for out- veloped and cut off. The 3rd Battalion on the extreme standing performance of duty in action near Aitape. right Hlank of three battalions abreast with the reinlorc. British New Guinea, during the period 12July 1944 to 7 ing battalion following reached its objective early in the August 1944. On t2July 1944, the 3rd Battalion, after a afternoon of I August 1944. Turning south the 3rd Bat- forced march of 12 miles, routed an enemly-held posi- taJion encountered well prepared positions and the ad- tion east of the X-Ray River to secure a line of depar- vance was halted due to the bitter opposition. Following lure, to launch counterattack to restore tile line of the the engagement 99 enely dead were counted. The ad. Driti;umor River, which had been penetrated by a de- vance to the south continued through dense jungle, terimined fanatical enemy force the previous day. The rough and swampy terrain, with the 3rd Battalion 3rd Battalion, with an exposed right Hlank, led the at- reaching the Afua Trail far in advance of the battalion tack and by strung aggressive action reached its objec- oi its right. On 5 August 1944, while attacking south on live late in the afternoon of 13 July 1944. This battalion Niumen Creek, the 3rd Battalion contacted strong dug- was subjected to intense automatic and small arms fire in positions, but by aggressive action digging the enemy from three exposed Hlanks throughout the night, as from caves and spider fox-holes in solid rock, continued other elements of the combat team had been delayed by to advance until 1500. Heavy mortar fire was received a strong enemy force and could not close in on the ob- during the night and the enemy launched a vigorous jective. On 14 July 1944, the 3rd Battalion in an advance counterattack which was quickly repulsed by the 3rd to close the'left flank of the unit on their right, met sud- Battalion. Immediately afterwards, the 3rd Battalion den intensified enemy resistance from all directions, launched an attack fixing the enemy in position, while The 3rd Battalion' fighting with sheer determination another battalion flanked to the enemy's left; then a under the most adverse circumstances finally over- vicious coordinated attack was launched, destroying powered the enemy killing 168 enemy and severed and and routing an estimated reinforced battalion, account- strongly secured the enemy's main supply route. This ing for 425 enemy dead. As a result of the strenuous ac- feat was accomplished so swiftly that an enemy supply tion el, 5 and 6 August the whole enemy force was train continued to advance down the trail directly into practically annihilated and the disorganized remnants the strongest sector of the 3rd Battalion's perimeter, re- of the force trapped. The 3rd Battalion was in constant suiting in 131 enemy dead littering the trail and river contact with the desperate enemy force during the pe- bed. Shortly before daybreak on 16 July the 3rd Battal- riod of 13 July to 7 August 1944. The aggressive action ion was attacked by a well organized enemy force from of the 3rd Battalion, relentlessly driving the enemy the rear followed by a similar attack supported by mor- through mud, swamps, dense jungle growth and over tar fire on the right flank by all enemy force occupying rough mountainous terrain during heavy prevailing positions previously prepared by friendly troops. The rains, never allowing the enemy to consolidate and re- opposition in that direction was quickly neutralized and organize, played a major role in the liberation of Aitape one company of the Battalion counterattacked to the and established another "stepping stone" for Allied right and drove the enemy from their position where armies to advance to the other strategic islands to die 416 enemy were killed. Early on the morning of 21 July north. During this period the 3rd Battalion accounted 1944. the enemy launched a vicious coordinated attack for approximately 1300 enemy dead. The conspicuous !)n the front and rear-dcfense of the 3rd Battalion. gallantry and the outstanding performance of duty There followed the most fanatical fighting up to this froam 13 July to 7 August 1944 by all personnel of the time as the enemy attacked the well defended positions 3rd Battalion. 124th Infantry Regiment, rellcts great of the battalion tlin and time again. only to be repulsed credit upon themselves and the Battalion and upholds by a superior force. On 31 July 1944, the entire regi- the highest traditions of the service.