About this Unit
The 91st Engineer Battalion was constituted in the Regular Army of the United States on 1 October 1933. Activated on 10 February 1941 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, it played a crucial role during World War II, supporting the construction of vital infrastructure in the Pacific Theater, including airfields and supply routes in New Guinea and the Philippines. After the war, the battalion was inactivated and reactivated several times, serving in various engineering and construction missions during the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Throughout its distinguished history, the 91st Engineer Battalion has earned numerous commendations for its adaptability and excellence in combat engineering operations.
Historical Facts
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World War II Origins: The 91st Engineer Battalion was originally constituted in 1933 and activated at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, in 1941, mainly to support construction and combat engineering tasks during World War II.
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Normandy Campaign: The unit played a pivotal role in the European Theater, landing on Utah Beach just days after D-Day, and was instrumental in building and repairing roads and bridges as Allied forces advanced.
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Red Ball Express: Members of the 91st Engineer Battalion helped establish and maintain the famous "Red Ball Express," the supply route that kept Allied armies supplied as they pushed through France.
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Vietnam Service: The battalion was reactivated for service in the Vietnam War, where it constructed vital airfields, roads, and base camps under hazardous conditions.
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Nickname “Black Diamonds”: The 91st Engineer Battalion is known as the “Black Diamonds,” a nod to the unit’s original insignia, which features a black diamond shape.
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Humanitarian Missions: In peacetime, the battalion has participated in numerous humanitarian and disaster relief operations, including flood relief in the United States.
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Gulf War Contributions: The 91st Engineer Battalion served during Operation Desert Storm, providing combat engineering support for coalition forces in the liberation of Kuwait.
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Modern Deployments: The unit has been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, specializing in route clearance and construction.
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Legacy of Diversity: During WWII, the 91st was one of several African American engineer units, reflecting the segregated nature of the U.S. Army at the time, and contributed significantly to the war effort despite facing discrimination.
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Distinctive Unit Insignia: The battalion’s crest features a black diamond with a castle, symbolizing its engineering mission and its historical nickname, and is worn proudly by its members.
