About this Unit
The 65th Engineer Battalion was constituted on 10 July 1941 in the Regular Army and activated on 1 October 1941 at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. During World War II, the battalion played a critical role in the Pacific Theater, participating in campaigns across the Central and Western Pacific, including in the Philippines and Ryukyus. After the war, the battalion continued to serve with distinction in the Korean War, Vietnam War, and subsequent conflicts, providing essential combat engineering support. Today, the 65th Engineer Battalion remains an integral part of the U.S. Army, stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and continues its legacy of supporting military operations worldwide.
Historical Facts
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Origins: The 65th Engineer Battalion was constituted on 20 December 1920 in the Organized Reserves as the 65th Engineer Battalion (Heavy Ponton) and later redesignated several times over its history.
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World War II Service: The battalion was activated at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, in 1941 and participated in several Pacific campaigns, including Guadalcanal, New Guinea, Leyte, Luzon, and the Southern Philippines.
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Pearl Harbor Attack: Members of the 65th Engineer Battalion were present during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and provided immediate engineering and recovery support.
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Amphibious Expertise: The unit specialized in amphibious assault support, constructing bridges, clearing obstacles, and providing critical engineering skills during beach landings throughout the Pacific Theater.
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Korean War: The battalion deployed to Korea as part of the 25th Infantry Division, supporting combat operations by building roads, airfields, and fortifications, often under fire.
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Vietnam War: The 65th Engineer Battalion served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1971, constructing bases, roads, and fortifications, and earning multiple campaign streamers for its service.
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Nickname "Bayonets": The battalion’s nickname, "Bayonets," reflects its readiness and fighting spirit, both in engineering and combat support roles.
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Humanitarian Missions: In addition to combat, the 65th has participated in humanitarian missions, such as disaster relief operations in the Pacific and Southeast Asia, including after typhoons and earthquakes.
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Global Deployments: In the 21st century, the battalion has deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, supporting combat and reconstruction missions as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
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Decorations: The 65th Engineer Battalion has been awarded several unit commendations, including Presidential Unit Citations and Meritorious Unit Commendations, reflecting its distinguished service across multiple conflicts.
