About this Unit
The 299th Engineer Battalion was first constituted on 23 March 1943 in the Army of the United States and activated on 1 May 1943 at Camp White, Oregon. During World War II, the battalion provided vital combat engineering support in campaigns across the European Theater, including the Rhineland and Central Europe operations. Reactivated and inactivated several times throughout its history, the unit has served in various capacities, including construction, bridging, and route clearance missions. In recent decades, the 299th Engineer Battalion has supported operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, continuing its tradition of providing essential engineering capabilities to the U.S. Army.
Historical Facts
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World War II Origins: The 299th Engineer Battalion was originally constituted on 16 June 1942 in the Army of the United States and activated at Camp White, Oregon, to support combat operations in World War II.
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D-Day Heroes: Elements of the 299th landed on Omaha Beach during the Normandy Invasion on June 6, 1944, supporting the first waves by clearing obstacles and opening beach exits under intense fire.
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Heavy Casualties at Omaha: The battalion suffered significant casualties on D-Day, but their work was pivotal in allowing follow-on troops and equipment to move off the beach.
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Decorations: For its valor and effectiveness on D-Day, the 299th received the Presidential Unit Citation, one of the highest unit awards.
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Post-War Inactivations and Reactivations: After World War II, the battalion was inactivated, reactivated, and redesignated several times, reflecting changing Army engineer needs.
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Vietnam Service: The 299th served in the Vietnam War, providing crucial construction, route clearance, and combat engineering support, and earning campaign streamers for its service.
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Cold War Assignments: The battalion became part of the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, during the Cold War, supporting both training and potential rapid deployment missions.
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Modern Deployments: In the 21st century, the battalion has deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, conducting route clearance, construction, and infrastructure repair.
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Distinctive Unit Insignia: The 299th's insignia features a red chevron symbolizing support and readiness, and gold castles representing the engineering mission.
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Motto: The battalion's motto, “Clear, Build and Defend,” reflects its multifaceted mission: removing obstacles, constructing vital infrastructure, and defending forces in combat zones.
