46th Engineers

• 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.