39th Engineering

• Origins: The 39th Engineer Battalion was originally constituted on 15 May 1917 in the National Army as the 39th Engineers and organized at Camp American University, Washington, D.C. • World War I Service: The unit deployed to France in 1918, providing critical engineering support during the final months of World War I. • Post-WWI Demobilization: After the armistice, the battalion was demobilized in June 1919 at Camp Dodge, Iowa. • World War II Redesignation: Reactivated and redesignated several times, the battalion served as the 39th Engineer Combat Battalion during World War II. • Normandy Landings: The 39th played a vital role in the D-Day landings at Utah Beach on June 6, 1944, clearing obstacles and enabling Allied forces to advance inland. • Decorations: The unit earned the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for its actions during the Normandy campaign. • Vietnam War Service: The 39th Engineer Battalion deployed to Vietnam in 1966, constructing roads, bridges, and airfields under combat conditions. • Humanitarian Missions: Besides combat engineering, the battalion has participated in disaster relief and humanitarian missions, including operations in Central America and the United States. • Modern Deployments: The 39th has supported operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, constructing vital infrastructure for coalition forces. • Regimental Motto: The battalion’s motto is "Fight, Build and Destroy," reflecting its versatile engineering and combat support capabilities.