397th Engineers

• World War II Formation: The 397th Engineer Regiment was constituted in the Army of the United States on 5 May 1942 and activated on 25 August 1942 at Camp Swift, Texas. • Combat Engineers Role: The unit was designated as a General Service Regiment, specializing in constructing roads, bridges, airfields, and other critical infrastructure in support of combat operations. • European Theater Deployment: The 397th Engineers deployed to the European Theater of Operations during World War II, supporting Allied advances after the D-Day invasion. • Normandy Campaign: The unit landed in France in 1944 and was instrumental in building and repairing essential logistics routes during the Normandy and Northern France campaigns. • Rhine River Crossings: The 397th played a key role in constructing pontoon bridges over the Rhine River, enabling Allied forces to advance into Germany. • Battle Stars Awarded: The regiment earned campaign participation credit for Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe. • Postwar Service: After World War II, the unit was inactivated in 1946 but later reactivated in the Army Reserve, continuing to train and maintain engineering readiness. • Cold War Activities: During the Cold War, the 397th was periodically called for annual training exercises, supporting local and federal engineering projects. • Modern Legacy: The history and lineage of the 397th Engineers live on in current Army Reserve engineer units, reflecting their tradition of service. • Decorations and Recognition: Members of the 397th Engineers received several commendations for their service, including unit citations and recognition for their engineering feats under fire.