502ND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE BATTALION

• Activation: The 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion was first constituted on 13 October 1950 in the Regular Army as the 502nd Communication Reconnaissance Battalion. • Korean War Service: The unit was activated during the Korean War era, originally serving in signals intelligence and communication roles. • Redesignation: It was redesignated as the 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion in 1966, reflecting a broader intelligence-gathering mission. • Cold War Operations: The battalion played a significant role in U.S. intelligence efforts in Europe during the Cold War, especially in Germany, focusing on counterintelligence and signals interception. • Assignment to 2nd Infantry Division: The 502nd MI Battalion became the primary intelligence battalion for the 2nd Infantry Division, supporting its operations in Korea and later in Europe. • Gulf War Contributions: Elements of the battalion deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm, providing vital intelligence for coalition forces. • Operation Iraqi Freedom: The battalion deployed multiple times to Iraq, supporting intelligence collection, analysis, and counterinsurgency operations. • Unit Motto: The battalion’s motto is "Vigilantia" (Vigilance), highlighting its commitment to constant readiness and intelligence vigilance. • Decorations: The 502nd MI Battalion has received several unit commendations, including the Meritorious Unit Commendation and Army Superior Unit Award for its exemplary service. • Modern Role: Today, the unit is part of the 201st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, and continues to provide multi-discipline intelligence support to U.S. Army operations worldwide.