Scott Alexander

The 78th Engineer Combat Battalion was activated on 1 July 1941 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, as part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. During World War II, the battalion played a vital role in the European Theater, supporting frontline units by constructing bridges, clearing obstacles, and enabling troop movements during key campaigns, including the Normandy invasion and the advance across France and Germany. The battalion earned distinction for its rapid construction of tactical bridges under enemy fire, notably during the crossing of the Rhine River. After the war, the 78th Engineer Combat Battalion continued to serve in various engineering and support capacities before eventual inactivation, leaving a legacy of technical proficiency and combat support excellence.