About this Unit
The 27th Engineer Battalion was first constituted on 16 January 1918 in the National Army as the 2nd Battalion, 37th Engineer Regiment, and organized at Fort Myer, Virginia. It was redesignated several times before becoming the 27th Engineer Battalion in 1940. The unit has a distinguished history, having served in major conflicts including World War II, the Vietnam War, and Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, providing combat engineering support such as mobility, countermobility, and survivability operations. Stationed at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, the battalion continues to support U.S. Army missions worldwide, enabling maneuver forces through rapid engineering solutions.
Historical Facts
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World War I Origins: The 27th Engineer Battalion traces its roots back to World War I, when it was first constituted on 16 January 1918 as the 2nd Battalion, 37th Engineer Regiment.
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Normandy Landings: The battalion played a pivotal role in the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, by clearing obstacles and mines on Omaha Beach, enabling the advance of Allied forces.
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Multiple Redesignations: Over the decades, the unit underwent several redesignations, becoming the 27th Engineer Combat Battalion in 1942 and later the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Airborne).
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Airborne Capability: The 27th Engineer Battalion is one of the few engineer units in the U.S. Army with airborne capability, allowing it to deploy rapidly by parachute.
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Vietnam War Service: The battalion served extensively in the Vietnam War, where it constructed bases, roads, and airfields under combat conditions.
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Decorations: The 27th Engineer Battalion has earned numerous decorations, including the Presidential Unit Citation and the Meritorious Unit Commendation for its actions in World War II and Vietnam.
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Gulf War Deployments: The unit participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, where it provided crucial mobility, countermobility, and survivability support to coalition forces.
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Disaster Relief Missions: The 27th Engineer Battalion has responded to domestic emergencies, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005, providing engineering and humanitarian assistance.
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Operation Enduring Freedom: The battalion deployed to Afghanistan, conducting route clearance, construction, and force protection missions in support of coalition operations.
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Motto and Insignia: The unit's motto is "Omnes res bene facere" ("To Do All Things Well"), and its distinctive unit insignia features a red and white shield symbolizing engineer service and valor.
