About this Unit
The 39th Engineer Battalion was originally constituted on 15 July 1940 in the Regular Army and activated at Camp Bowie, Texas. During World War II, the battalion participated in key campaigns across North Africa, Sicily, and Italy, providing critical combat engineering support, including bridging rivers and clearing mines. Post-war, the 39th played significant roles in Vietnam, supporting mobility and construction operations. In more recent years, the battalion has deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, continuing its tradition of providing vital engineering support to U.S. Army operations.
Historical Facts
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World War II Origins: The 39th Engineer Battalion was constituted on 25 January 1942 in the Regular Army as the 39th Engineer Combat Regiment and activated at Camp Bowie, Texas.
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Normandy Landings: Elements of the 39th participated in the D-Day landings at Utah Beach, providing critical engineering support under fire during the invasion of Normandy in June 1944.
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Distinguished Unit Citation: The battalion earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for its exceptional performance during the Normandy Campaign.
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Redesignation and Cold War Service: The regiment was reorganized and redesignated as the 39th Engineer Battalion (Combat) in 1947, playing roles in the European post-war reconstruction.
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Vietnam War Deployments: The 39th Engineer Battalion deployed to Vietnam in 1967, constructing vital airfields, base camps, and roads in hazardous conditions.
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Construction of "Liberty Road": The battalion was instrumental in the construction of Liberty Road, a major supply route in Vietnam, which greatly facilitated U.S. military operations.
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Humanitarian Missions: The battalion has contributed to disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, including operations in Honduras after Hurricane Mitch in 1998.
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Modern Deployments: In the 21st century, the 39th Engineer Battalion supported operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, including route clearance and construction projects.
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Decorations and Honors: The battalion has received multiple Meritorious Unit Commendations, campaign streamers, and foreign awards such as the French Croix de Guerre.
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Current Role: Today, the 39th Engineer Battalion is part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), continuing its tradition of combat engineering and support.
