B Co, 23rd Combat Engineer Battalion

• World War II Origins: Bravo Company, part of the 23rd Engineer Battalion, was originally activated during World War II and played a vital role in supporting armored divisions across European battlefields, notably with the 12th Armored Division. • Normandy Campaign: Elements of the 23rd Engineers participated in the aftermath of D-Day, clearing mines, constructing bridges, and ensuring the rapid movement of Allied forces through France. • Bridge Building Expertise: B Company specialized in rapid construction and repair of tactical bridges under fire, often enabling tank and infantry advances where other routes were impassable. • Cold War Deployments: During the Cold War, the 23rd Engineer Battalion, including B Company, was stationed in Germany as part of NATO’s forward defense posture, maintaining readiness against potential Soviet aggression. • Vietnam War Service: The 23rd Engineers were deployed to Vietnam, where B Company was instrumental in building and maintaining supply routes, airfields, and defensive fortifications under hostile conditions. • Gulf War Participation: In Operation Desert Storm (1991), the battalion, including B Company, provided essential mobility and counter-mobility support to coalition forces, clearing obstacles and laying minefields as required. • Humanitarian Missions: B Company has participated in disaster relief, including hurricane and flood response, using their engineering expertise to restore critical infrastructure. • Decorations and Honors: The 23rd Engineer Battalion and its companies have earned multiple campaign streamers and unit citations for their service in WWII, Vietnam, and Southwest Asia. • Modern Deployments: In recent years, B Company has deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, conducting route clearance, construction, and force protection missions. • Distinctive Insignia: The battalion’s crest features a wyvern (a mythical dragon), symbolizing the unit’s mobility, engineering prowess, and readiness to overcome obstacles—traits embodied by B Company throughout its history.