1ST Eng 1st Inf Dev

• Oldest Engineer Unit: The 1st Engineer Battalion, part of the 1st Infantry Division ("Big Red One"), is the oldest continuously serving engineer unit in the U.S. Army, originally organized in 1846. • Mexican-American War Origins: The unit traces its lineage to the U.S.-Mexico War, where it participated in campaigns such as Vera Cruz and Mexico City. • Civil War Service: The battalion played a pivotal role in the Civil War, constructing bridges and fortifications for Union armies, and was present at major battles including Gettysburg. • World War I Innovation: During WWI, the battalion introduced new methods of trench construction, mine warfare, and combat engineering under fire. • Normandy Landings: In WWII, the unit landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944, clearing beach obstacles and mines under heavy enemy fire. • Vietnam River Crossings: In Vietnam, the battalion constructed pontoon bridges and conducted "Rome Plow" jungle clearing operations, enabling mobility for U.S. forces. • Gulf War Bridge Building: The 1st Engineers supported the 1st Infantry Division in the Gulf War, rapidly constructing bridges and breaching obstacles during Operation Desert Storm. • Global War on Terror: Deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan, the battalion specialized in route clearance, counter-IED operations, and construction of forward operating bases. • Honored Traditions: The battalion's motto, "First Across", reflects its history of leading the way in assaults and engineering feats, often being the first to cross rivers or breach enemy defenses. • Decorations and Honors: The 1st Engineer Battalion has earned numerous unit citations, including Presidential Unit Citations and foreign awards, for its valor and effectiveness in combat operations across multiple wars.