65th Engineer Battellion

• 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • Nickname "Bayonets": The battalion’s nickname, "Bayonets," reflects its readiness and fighting spirit, both in engineering and combat support roles. • 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. • 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. • 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.