About this Unit
The 46th Engineer Battalion was first constituted on 7 December 1917 in the National Army as the 46th Engineers and organized at Camp Sheridan, Alabama. During World War I, the unit served in France, providing vital engineering support for the American Expeditionary Forces. Reactivated and redesignated multiple times, the battalion played a significant role in World War II, participating in campaigns in North Africa, Italy, and Europe, where it constructed bridges, cleared minefields, and facilitated troop movements. In the years following, the 46th Engineers have supported numerous operations, both in combat and humanitarian missions, exemplifying their motto "Mission First."
Historical Facts
•
World War I Origins: The 46th Engineer Regiment was first constituted in the National Army on 7 December 1917 and organized at Camp Sheridan, Alabama. It served primarily as a railway construction unit during World War I.
•
Railway Engineers: During World War I, the 46th Engineers specialized in constructing and maintaining railways in France to support the Allied advance and ensure efficient supply lines.
•
Redesignation: After World War I, the unit was demobilized, but it was reconstituted and redesignated several times, reflecting the changing needs of the U.S. Army Engineer Corps.
•
World War II Service: The 46th Engineer General Service Regiment was activated in 1942 and played a crucial role in the European Theater, building roads, bridges, and airfields following the D-Day invasion.
•
Normandy Invasion: Elements of the 46th were among the first engineers to land in Normandy, quickly constructing roads and clearing obstacles under enemy fire to facilitate the Allied breakout.
•
Postwar Reconstruction: After WWII, the 46th Engineers contributed to postwar reconstruction efforts in Europe, rebuilding war-damaged infrastructure.
•
Korean War: The 46th Engineer Battalion (Combat) was reactivated for the Korean War, providing vital combat engineering support, including the construction of roads, bridges, and fortifications.
•
Distinctive Unit Insignia: The unit’s insignia features a red and white shield with a railway track, symbolizing its origins and expertise in military railway construction.
•
Modern Deployments: In more recent decades, the 46th Engineer Battalion has supported operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, specializing in mobility, counter-mobility, and survivability missions for U.S. and coalition forces.
•
Motto: The unit’s motto is “Point the Way,” reflecting its mission to pave the path for advancing forces, whether through construction, breaching obstacles, or clearing routes.
