78TH ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION

• World War II Origins: The 78th Engineer Combat Battalion was activated in 1943 at Camp Swift, Texas, and served with distinction during World War II in the European Theater of Operations. • Normandy Landing: Elements of the battalion landed at Omaha Beach on D-Day plus 1, playing a crucial role in clearing obstacles and opening roads for advancing Allied forces. • Battle of the Bulge: The battalion was heavily involved in the Battle of the Bulge, constructing bridges and repairing roads under constant enemy fire to maintain supply lines. • Bridge Building Prowess: The 78th Engineer Combat Battalion built and maintained numerous Bailey bridges, crucial for the rapid movement of troops and armor across rivers in France and Germany. • Mine Clearance: The unit was responsible for clearing thousands of mines and booby traps, saving countless lives and enabling the advance of Allied forces. • Decorations: The battalion received several unit citations, including the French Croix de Guerre, for its valor and effectiveness in combat engineering operations. • Post-War Activity: After WWII, the battalion returned to the United States and was eventually inactivated, later reactivated for service during the Cold War. • Cold War Service: During the Cold War, the 78th Engineer Combat Battalion was stationed in Germany, supporting NATO operations and maintaining readiness for potential conflicts. • Veteran Reunion Tradition: Veterans of the battalion and their families have held regular reunions to commemorate their service and maintain the unit’s legacy. • Legacy in the Corps of Engineers: The 78th Engineer Combat Battalion is remembered as a model of engineering excellence and combat support, with its lineage carried on in modern U.S. Army engineer units.