39th Signal Battalion

• Establishment in World War II: The 39th Signal Battalion was constituted on 18 October 1944 in the Army of the United States and activated on 29 October 1944 in France, supporting communications in the European Theater during World War II. • Normandy Campaign: The battalion played a crucial role in establishing and maintaining communications for Allied forces following the D-Day landings and throughout the liberation of France. • Post-War Deactivation and Reactivation: After World War II, the battalion was inactivated in Germany in 1946, but later reactivated during the Cold War in 1951 due to rising tensions in Europe. • Stationed in Belgium: Since the 1950s, the 39th Signal Battalion has been based in Belgium, supporting U.S. Army Europe and NATO communications, primarily out of Chievres Air Base and SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe). • Support to NATO: The battalion provides critical communications support to NATO, ensuring secure and reliable information flow between U.S. forces and allied partners across Europe. • Cold War Operations: During the Cold War, the 39th Signal Battalion was essential in maintaining command and control networks for U.S. and NATO forces in Western Europe, often testing and upgrading communications technology to meet emerging threats. • Heraldry: The battalion’s distinctive unit insignia features a gold lightning bolt, symbolizing swift communications, and a cross, representing its original activation in France during WWII. • Modernization: The 39th has been at the forefront of Army communications modernization, implementing advanced satellite, digital, and cyber systems to adapt to 21st-century warfare needs. • Humanitarian Missions: Members of the battalion have participated in various humanitarian and disaster relief operations throughout Europe, using their communications expertise to coordinate multinational responses. • Unit Motto: The battalion’s motto, “We Serve to Connect,” encapsulates its enduring mission to enable command and control by connecting soldiers, leaders, and allies across the globe.