39th. Engineer Battalion

• 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. • 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. • Distinguished Unit Citation: The battalion earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for its exceptional performance during the Normandy Campaign. • 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. • Vietnam War Deployments: The 39th Engineer Battalion deployed to Vietnam in 1967, constructing vital airfields, base camps, and roads in hazardous conditions. • 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. • Humanitarian Missions: The battalion has contributed to disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, including operations in Honduras after Hurricane Mitch in 1998. • Modern Deployments: In the 21st century, the 39th Engineer Battalion supported operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, including route clearance and construction projects. • Decorations and Honors: The battalion has received multiple Meritorious Unit Commendations, campaign streamers, and foreign awards such as the French Croix de Guerre. • 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.