About this Unit
The 20th Combat Engineer Battalion was first constituted on 11 December 1935 in the Regular Army and activated on 1 July 1940 at Fort Benning, Georgia. During World War II, the battalion provided crucial engineer support in the European Theater, participating in campaigns such as Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe. After the war, the 20th continued to serve with distinction, supporting U.S. Army operations during the Cold War and later in Operation Desert Storm. The battalion was inactivated on 15 October 1993 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, after decades of dedicated service in combat engineering roles.
Historical Facts
•
World War II Origins: The 20th Engineer Combat Battalion was first constituted on 20 December 1942 and activated at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, to support Allied operations in the European Theater during World War II.
•
Normandy D-Day Invasion: The battalion landed on Utah Beach on D-Day, 6 June 1944, where it played a crucial role clearing obstacles, mines, and opening roads for advancing infantry and armor.
•
Battle of the Bulge: The 20th Combat Engineers were instrumental during the Battle of the Bulge, building bridges and maintaining supply routes under fire in the harsh winter of 1944-45.
•
Decorations: The battalion earned the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for its heroic actions in Normandy and Northern France.
•
Korean War Service: Reactivated for the Korean War, the battalion supported United Nations forces, constructing fortifications, roads, and bridges under combat conditions.
•
Vietnam War Deployments: The 20th Engineer Battalion deployed to Vietnam, where it supported major operations such as building airfields, base camps, and clearing jungle for troop movement.
•
Operation Desert Storm: Elements of the battalion participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, clearing minefields and breaching obstacles for coalition advances in Iraq.
•
Hurricane Katrina Relief: In 2005, the 20th Engineers were mobilized for disaster relief after Hurricane Katrina, assisting with debris removal and infrastructure repairs in New Orleans.
•
Modern Deployments: The battalion has supported operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, specializing in route clearance, counter-IED operations, and infrastructure development.
•
Motto and Distinctive Unit Insignia: The 20th Engineer Battalion’s motto is “Building the Way,” symbolizing its commitment to mobility and support for combat forces. Its insignia features a castle, representing the Corps of Engineers, and the colors scarlet and white.
