About this Unit
The 101st Engineer Battalion is one of the oldest units in the United States Army, with origins tracing back to 1636 as part of the Massachusetts colonial militia. The unit has participated in every major American conflict, including the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I, and World War II, providing crucial engineering support such as constructing fortifications, bridges, and clearing obstacles. During World War II, the battalion served in the European Theater, notably participating in campaigns across Normandy, Northern France, and the Rhineland. In recent years, the 101st Engineer Battalion has supported operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, continuing its legacy of service and adaptability in modern combat engineering roles.
Historical Facts
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Oldest Engineer Unit in the U.S. Army: The 101st Engineer Battalion traces its lineage back to 1636, making it the oldest engineer unit in the U.S. Army and one of the oldest continuously serving military units in the world.
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Origins in the Massachusetts Militia: The battalion’s roots are in the Massachusetts colonial militia, originally organized as the East Regiment, which fought in the Pequot War and King Philip’s War.
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Served in the American Revolution: Elements of the unit participated in the American Revolution, including the Battles of Lexington and Concord and the Siege of Boston.
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Fought in the Civil War: The unit served as the 10th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War, seeing action in major campaigns such as Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg.
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World War I Service: Reorganized as the 101st Engineer Regiment, the battalion was assigned to the 26th "Yankee" Division, constructing trenches, bridges, and other fortifications in France.
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Heroic Actions in World War II: The battalion landed at Normandy a few days after D-Day and participated in the liberation of France, Belgium, and Germany, earning a Presidential Unit Citation for actions at the Moselle River.
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Role in the Cold War: During the Cold War, the unit was a key part of the Massachusetts National Guard, supporting civil defense and domestic emergencies.
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Global War on Terror Deployments: The 101st Engineer Battalion deployed to Iraq in 2003 and to Afghanistan in 2010, conducting route clearance, construction, and force protection missions.
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Symbolic Unit Crest: The battalion's crest features a lion, representing courage and service, and a castle, the traditional symbol of military engineers.
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Continued Homeland Response: In addition to overseas deployments, the 101st has responded to numerous disasters at home, including blizzards, floods, and the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013.
