About this Unit
The 26th/101st Engineer Battalion has a distinguished legacy within the U.S. Army, tracing its lineage to both the 26th Engineer Battalion and the 101st Engineer Battalion. The 26th Engineer Battalion was originally activated during World War II, providing crucial engineer support in the European Theater. The 101st Engineer Battalion, established in 1636 as part of the Massachusetts militia, is recognized as one of the oldest units in the U.S. military, participating in major conflicts from the Revolutionary War through the Global War on Terrorism. When operating as a combined or task-organized unit, the 26/101st Engineer Battalion has delivered vital combat engineering, mobility, and construction capabilities to support Army operations worldwide.
Historical Facts
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Oldest Serving Unit: The 26th/101st Engineer Battalion traces its lineage to the founding of the Massachusetts Militia in 1636, making it part of one of the oldest continuously serving military units in the United States.
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Revolutionary War Service: Units that would become part of the 101st Engineers fought at major battles including Lexington, Concord, Bunker Hill, Saratoga, and Yorktown during the American Revolution.
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Civil War Participation: The regiment, as part of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, served with distinction in the Civil War, notably at Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg.
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World War I Redesignation: In 1917, the unit was redesignated as the 101st Engineer Regiment and assigned to the 26th “Yankee” Division for service in World War I, becoming the first National Guard division to arrive in France.
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Combat Engineers in WWII: During World War II, the 101st Engineer Combat Battalion saw action across Europe, including Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe.
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Decorations: The battalion received multiple campaign streamers and honors for its service in both World Wars and later conflicts, including the French Croix de Guerre for actions in World War I.
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Disaster Response: Beyond combat, the battalion has been called upon for state and federal disaster relief, including the response to the Great New England Hurricane of 1938 and the Blizzard of 1978.
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Modern Deployments: Elements of the 101st Engineers have deployed in recent decades to Iraq and Afghanistan, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom with construction and route clearance missions.
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Engineering Legacy: The battalion’s missions have ranged from building fortifications and bridges to demolition, mine clearance, and constructing Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in combat zones.
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“Yankee Division” Connection: The unit’s long association with the 26th Infantry (Yankee) Division, a famed National Guard formation, is reflected in its nickname and heraldry, proudly carrying forward the “Yankee” legacy.
