About this Unit
The 317th Engineer Battalion was constituted in the National Army on 5 August 1917 and organized at Camp Gordon, Georgia, during World War I. The unit served with distinction in France, providing vital engineering support for combat operations. Reactivated for World War II, the battalion participated in campaigns across the European Theater, including Normandy and the Rhineland. In the postwar era, the 317th has continued to serve as a combat engineer unit in the U.S. Army Reserve, supporting various missions at home and abroad.
Historical Facts
• World War I Origins: The 317th Engineer Battalion was originally constituted in the National Army on 5 August 1917 and assigned to the 92nd Division.
• Historic African American Service: During World War I, the 317th was part of the 92nd Division, known as the “Buffalo Soldiers” Division, composed primarily of African American soldiers.
• World War I Campaigns: The battalion participated in major campaigns such as the Meuse-Argonne Offensive and Lorraine in France.
• World War II Reactivation: The unit was reactivated and redesignated several times, serving as the 317th Engineer Combat Battalion during World War II.
• European Theater Actions: The battalion served in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe campaigns, playing a key role in building bridges and clearing obstacles for advancing Allied forces.
• Decorations: The 317th Engineer Battalion earned the Meritorious Unit Commendation for its service in France during World War II.
• Korean War Service: After World War II, the unit was inactivated but later reactivated and served in the Korean War, continuing its legacy of engineering support.
• Cold War and Beyond: The 317th has been reorganized and redesignated multiple times, serving both in the Regular Army and the Army Reserve.
• Modern Deployments: In recent years, the 317th Engineer Battalion has deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, performing route clearance and construction missions.
• “By Industry and Honor” Motto: The battalion’s motto, “By Industry and Honor,” reflects its long-standing tradition of hard work, technical skill, and integrity in support of combat operations.
